{"id":"F2016L00002","name":"Approval of the Kakadu National Park Management Plan 2016-2026","slug":"approval-of-the-kakadu-national-park-management-plan-2016-2026","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"repealed","isInForce":false,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":93912,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2016L00002-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"Repealed","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Approval of the Kakadu National Park Management Plan 2016-2026","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-description: Park Management\ntitle: FRLI-Kakadu Management Plan 2016-2026\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n\n\n \n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA\n\n \n\nEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999\n\n \n\nAPPROVAL OF THE KAKADU NATIONAL PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN 2016-2026\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nI, JAMIE BRIGGS, Minister for Cities and the Built Environment, acting pursuant to section 370 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, hereby approve the Kakadu National Park Management Plan 2016-2026.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nDated this …25... day of …November…, 20 ..15..\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nJAMIE BRIGGS……………………………\n\nJamie Briggs\n\nMinister for Cities and the Built Environment\n\n \n\n\n \n\n\n \n\n[THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK – INSIDE COVER]\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nThe artwork appearing on the cover of this plan was created by Ina Brown ©\n\nAl-mangeyi\n\n‘This is a picture of an Al-mangeyi (a long neck turtle).\n\nI go hunting for them with my family in the dry season.\n\nMy favourite place to hunt for turtle is the Mamukala wetlands.\n\nWe use a crow bar to find them in the mud, then we cook them in the coals.’\n\n \n\n \n\n\n\nThe cover artwork was created during Children’s Ground printmaking workshops as part of the developing Bininj Kunwaral Arts Enterprise.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nISBN: 978-0-9807460-7-5 (Print)\n\nISBN: 978-0-9807460-6-8 (Online)\n\n© Director of National Parks 2016\n\nThis plan is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Director of National Parks. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to:\n\nDirector of National Parks GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601\n\nDirector of National Parks Australian business number: 13051 694 963\n\nThis management plan sets out how it is proposed the park will be managed for the next 10 years.\n\nA copy of this plan is available online at:\n\nwww.environment.gov.au/topics/national-parks/parks-australia/publications.\n\n.\n\nForeword\n\nKakadu National Park is, and always has been, Bininj/Mungguy land. The evidence for this is in the World Heritage rock art and archaeological sites throughout the park and Bininj/Mungguy people’s traditional connection to their land and culture. The long and continuing history of Bininj/Mungguy custodianship of Kakadu is one of the most important things about the park, recognised in its World Heritage listing.\n\nTraditional owners and managers of Kakadu have strong responsibilities and obligations to care for country and to guide and look after visitors.\n\nFrom the late 1970s to the time of preparing this plan, about half of the park has been granted as Aboriginal land under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 and the traditional owners have leased back the land to the Director of National Parks to be managed as part of Kakadu National Park. The remaining half of the park may become Aboriginal land during the life of this plan and will also be leased to the Director of National Parks.\n\nSince the park was declared, it has been managed as if it was all Aboriginal land. Through joint management, Bininj/Mungguy have worked hard with the Director of National Parks and park staff to balance the protection of their culture with making the park an outstanding destination for visitors.\n\nThe Kakadu National Park Board of Management wrote this management plan. When writing this plan, the Board worked together to:\n\n- decide on the most important values to recognise and protect in the plan\n- decide on the most significant issues impacting those values and to provide instructions on how those issues should be dealt with\n- provide ways to make sure Bininj/Mungguy are involved in the implementation of the plan\n- provide ways to make sure that the things they have said will be done are done and to measure how well they are done.\n\n\nThe plan sets out how Kakadu National Park is to be managed over the next 10 years.\n\n \n\nKakadu National Park Board of Management\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nPurpose\n\nKakadu National Park was established for the following purposes:\n\n the preservation of the area in its natural condition\n\n the encouragement and regulation of the appropriate use, appreciation and enjoyment of the area by the public.\n\n \n\n \n\n## Vision\n\nThe vision for Kakadu National Park is that it continues to be one of the great World Heritage areas, recognised internationally as a place where:\n\n the cultural and natural values of the park are protected and Bininj/Mungguy culture is respected\n\n Bininj/Mungguy guide and are involved in all aspects of managing the park\n\n knowledge about country and culture is passed on to younger Bininj/Mungguy, and future generations of Bininj/Mungguy have the option to stay in the park to look after country\n\n world-class visitor experiences are provided, and tourism is conducted in culturally, environmentally, socially and economically sustainable ways\n\n disturbed areas are rehabilitated and reintegrated into the park\n\n Bininj/Mungguy gain sustainable social and economic outcomes from the park.\n\n \n\n \n\nGuiding principles\n\nThe guiding principles for the management of Kakadu National Park are that:\n\n culture, country, sacred places and customary law are one, extend beyond the boundaries of Kakadu, and need to be protected and respected\n\n Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda keep joint management strong by working together, communicating effectively and sharing decision-making\n\n consultation with Bininj/Mungguy is conducted appropriately and with the right people for that country\n\n everyone who lives and works in the park learns from, understands and respects each other\n\n young Bininj/Mungguy have opportunities to learn about their culture and country\n\n Bininj/Mungguy and park management maintain and respect each other’s obligations and work together to look after the natural and cultural values of the park\n\n the progress and development of tourism are undertaken in accordance with the wishes of Bininj/Mungguy, and strong partnerships are maintained with the tourism industry\n\n visitors are provided with opportunities for safe, enriching and memorable experiences.\n\n## Acknowledgements\n\nThe Kakadu Board of Management is grateful to the many individuals and organisations that contributed to this management plan. In particular they acknowledge Bininj/Mungguy, Parks Australia staff, the Northern Land Council, and the Northern Territory and Australian Government agencies that provided information and assistance or submitted contributions that contributed to the development of this management plan.\n\nMembers of the Kakadu Board of Management involved in preparing this plan\n\nFrear Alderson Murrumburr clan (Deputy member)\n\nMichael Bangalang Murruwan clan\n\nSally Barnes Director of National Parks (from June 2014)\n\nRyan Baruwei Wurrkbarbar (Jawoyn) clan (Chair from 2012 to 2014)\n\nPeter Cochrane Director of National Parks (to December 2013)\n\nVictor Cooper Minitja clan (Deputy member)\n\nMichael Douglas Nature conservation (from 2014)\n\nMelanie Elgregbud Mirarr/Gundjeihmi clan (Deputy member)\n\nJoshua Hunter Wurrkbarbar (Jawoyn) clan (resigned June 2014)\n\nGraham Kenyon Limilngan clan\n\nViolet Lawson Murrumburr clan\n\nJeffrey Lee Djok clan\n\nMaria Lee Wurrkbarbar (Jawoyn) clan (Chair from 2014)\n\nYvonne Margarula Mirarr/Gundjeihmi clan\n\nMick Markham Bolmo clan (Jawoyn) (Chair to 2012)\n\nTony Mayell Northern Territory Government (from November 2013)\n\nAnna Morgan Assistant Secretary, Parks Australia\n\nRick Murray Tourism industry\n\nJonathan Nadji Bunitdj clan (Deputy Chair)\n\nAlfred Nayinggul Maniligar clan\n\nDenise Williams Wurrkbarbar (Jawoyn) clan (Deputy member)\n\nHenry Yates Limilngan clan (Deputy member)\n\n\n\n\nHow to read this plan\n\nThis management plan takes a different approach to previous management plans for Kakadu National Park. The approach uses the park values statement (see Table 1) to establish the policies and actions needed to protect, present and understand the values of the park over the life of the plan, consistent with the purposes for which the park is established.\n\nThis plan also differentiates the actions the Director of National Parks can and will take over the life of the plan to protect, present and understand park values from the rules that apply to activities by park visitors and users; hence it is structured in two discrete parts:\n\n- Managing Kakadu: This part of the plan is structured around joint management, protecting the cultural and natural values of the park, developing and promoting Kakadu as a visitor destination, and increasing our understanding of the park’s values. It sets out policies that will apply to the Director’s activities over the life of the plan as well as describing the actions that will be taken towards achieving the outcomes described in the plan. Any policies relating to provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (EPBC Regulations) that specifically apply to the activities of the Director in managing the park are also described.\n- Managing use of Kakadu: This part of the plan is structured around how the Director will enable and manage appropriate visitor and stakeholder activities in the park in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and EPBC Regulations. It sets out any policies that apply to park users. Policies include those related to provisions in the EPBC Regulations as well as those that more broadly protect the park values or contribute to the effective management of the park.\n\n\nThis plan takes a more strategic approach than previous plans. To enable this, each section relating to protecting and presenting park values starts with a set of overarching principles which apply to the management of all aspects of that section. More detailed policies and actions relating to a particular issue are then outlined in the relevant subsections.\n\nSome readers of this plan may find that information which was previously in a single section of the plan is now dealt with in a number of sections, or that material which was previously dispersed across the plan is now in a single section. When looking for particular actions or policies, readers should consider whether they are seeking information on what the Director of National Parks will do over the life of the plan or whether they are seeking information about park visitor and user activities.\n\nBininj/Mungguy\n\nThroughout this plan the term Bininj/Mungguy is used to refer to the traditional Aboriginal owners of Aboriginal land in the park (within the meaning of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976) and other Aboriginals entitled by Aboriginal tradition to use or occupy land in the park (whether or not the traditional entitlement is qualified as to place, time, circumstance, purpose or permission).\n\nBininj is a Kunwinjku and Gundjeihmi word, pronounced ‘bin-ing’. This word is similar to the English word ‘man’ and can mean man, male, person or Aboriginal people, depending on the context. The word for woman in these languages is Daluk. Other languages in Kakadu National Park have other words with these meanings – for example the Jawoyn word for man is Mungguy and for woman is Alumka, and the Limilngan word for man is Murlugan and for woman is Ugin-j.\n\nThe Kakadu National Park Board of Management has agreed to use the term Bininj/Mungguy for the purposes of this management plan.\n\n\n\n\nContents\n\n[Foreword......................................................i](#Foreword)\n\n[Purpose......................................................iii](#Purpose)\n\n[Vision.......................................................iii](#Vision)\n\n[Guiding principles...............................................iii](#Guidingprinciples)\n\n[Acknowledgements..............................................iv](#Acknowledgements)\n\n[How to read this plan.............................................V](#Howtoreadthisplan)\n\n[Bininj/Mungguy.................................................V](#BininjMungguy)\n\n[Part A - Introduction.............................................1](#PartA)\n\n[1. A description of Kakadu National Park.............................2](#A010)\n\n[1.1 Kakadu – a brief description.................................2](#A011)\n\n[1.2 The Aboriginal custodians...................................2](#A012)\n\n[1.3 Establishment of Kakadu National Park..........................5](#A013)\n\n[1.4 Park values and local, regional, national and international significance.....9](#A014)\n\n[1.5 Joint management.......................................16](#A015)\n\n[2. Management plan framework..................................17](#A020)\n\n[2.1 Management planning process..............................17](#A021)\n\n[2.2 The planning framework...................................18](#A022)\n\n[Part B – General provisions and IUCN Category...........................23](#PartB)\n\n[3. General provisions and IUCN category............................24](#B030)\n\n[3.1 Short title.............................................24](#B031)\n\n[3.2 Commencement and termination.............................24](#B032)\n\n[3.3 Interpretation.........................................24](#B033)\n\n[3.4 IUCN category..........................................24](#B034)\n\n[Part C - Managing Kakadu.........................................27](#PartC)\n\n[4. Joint management..........................................28](#C040)\n\n[4.1 Making decisions and working together (Board of Management)........30](#C041)\n\n[4.2 Making decisions and working together (on country)................35](#C042)\n\n[4.3 Bininj/Mungguy training and other opportunities..................38](#C043)\n\n \n\n\n\n\n[5. Looking after culture and country...............................41](#C050)\n\n[5.1 Looking after culture.....................................41](#C051)\n\n[5.2 Looking after country.....................................57](#C052)\n\n[5.3 Managing park-wide threats affecting values.....................75](#C053)\n\n[6. Kakadu as a visitor experience destination, commercial tourism and promotion............................................99](#C060)\n\n[6.1 Destination and visitor experience development..................101](#C061)\n\n[6.2 Commercial tourism development and management...............106](#C062)\n\n[6.3 Promotion and marketing.................................108](#C063)\n\n[6.4 Visitor information......................................110](#C064)\n\n[7. Research and knowledge management...........................113](#C070)\n\n[7.1 Research and knowledge management........................115](#C071)\n\n[8. Living in the park – Jabiru and outstations.........................118](#C080)\n\n[8.1 Outstations and living on country............................118](#C081)\n\n[8.2 Jabiru..............................................120](#C082)\n\n[9. Administration and business management.........................125](#C090)\n\n[9.1 Safety and incident management...........................125](#C091)\n\n[9.2 Compliance and enforcement.............................129](#C092)\n\n[9.3 Authorising and managing activities.........................131](#C093)\n\n[9.4 Capital works and infrastructure............................133](#C094)\n\n[9.5 Assessment of proposals.................................135](#C095)\n\n[9.6 Resource use in park operations............................140](#C096)\n\n[9.7 Neighbours, stakeholders and partnerships....................142](#C097)\n\n[9.8 Revenue and business development.........................144](#C098)\n\n[9.9 Carrying out and authorising activities not otherwise specified and new ways of authorising activities........................146](#C099)\n\n[9.10 Implementing and evaluating the plan.......................147](#C0910)\n\n\n\n\n[Part D – Managing Use Of Kakadu...................................151](#PartD)\n\n[10. Managing use of Kakadu National Park...........................152](#D010)\n\n[10.1 Authorisation of allowable activities..........................153](#D101)\n\n[10.2 General rules for managing use of the park......................155](#D102)\n\n[10.3 Living in the park (outstations and Jabiru)......................157](#D103)\n\n[10.4 Access.............................................162](#D104)\n\n[10.5 Commercial use of resources..............................165](#D105)\n\n[10.6 Traditional use of land and water...........................168](#D106)\n\n[10.7 Recreational activities...................................170](#D107)\n\n[10.8 Commercial tourism and accommodation.....................175](#D108)\n\n[10.9 Filming and photography (and other commercial image capture)......178](#D109)\n\n[10.10 Commercial fishing....................................179](#D1010)\n\n[10.11 Infrastructure and works.................................180](#D1011)\n\n[10.12 Research and monitoring activities and access to genetic resources....181](#D1012)\n\n[10.13 Bringing plants, animals and other materials into the park...........184](#D1013)\n\n[Appendices..................................................187](#Appendices)\n\n[Appendix A: World Heritage attributes...............................188](#AppendixA)\n\n[Appendix B: Ramsar criteria......................................192](#AppendixB)\n\n[Appendix C: International agreements...............................193](#AppendixC)\n\n[Appendix D: EPBC-listed migratory species recorded in Kakadu National Park.....195](#AppendixD)\n\n[Appendix E: Summary of the timeframes and consultation process used in developing this plan..............................198](#AppendixE)\n\n[Appendix F: Glossary and interpretation..............................201](#AppendixF)\n\n[Appendix G: Legislative context....................................208](#AppendixG)\n\n[Appendix H: IUCN administrative and management principle schedules.........216](#AppendixH)\n\n[Appendix I: Provisions of leases...................................220](#AppendixI)\n\n[Appendix J: Species of conservation concern...........................241](#AppendixJ)\n\n[Bibliography.................................................245](#Bibliography)\n\n[Map data sources..............................................248](#Mapdatasources)\n\n \n\n\n\n\nTables\n\n[Table 1: Kakadu National Park Values Statement 10](#Tab1)\n\n[Table 2: Focus of management for the protection of park values 21](#Tab2)\n\n[Table 3: Guide to decision-making 34](#Tab3)\n\n[Table 4: Impact assessment process 137](#Tab4)\n\n[Table 5: Environmental impact assessment matters and considerations 138](#Tab5)\n\n[Table 6: Key EPBC requirements for access to biological resources as they concern the park 183](#Tab6)\n\nFigures\n\n[Figure 1 Location of Kakadu National Park 3](#Fig1)\n\n[Figure 2: Kakadu National Park 6](#Fig2)\n\n[Figure 3: Aboriginal land and land claims in Kakadu National Park as at April 2014 8](#Fig3)\n\n[Figure 4: Kakadu’s major landscapes 14](#Fig4)\n\n[Figure 5: Conceptual framework for the structure of this plan 20](#Fig5)\n\n[Figure 6: Line of sight for Section 4: Joint management 29](#Fig6)\n\n[Figure 7: Summary of programmes supporting Indigenous employment pathways in Kakadu 38](#Fig7)\n\n[Figure 8: Line of sight for Section 5.1: Looking after culture 42](#Fig8)\n\n[Figure 9: Line of sight for Section 5.2: Looking after country 58](#Fig9)\n\n[Figure 10: Endemic plants in the Northern Territory 61](#Fig10)\n\n[Figure 11: Endemic vertebrates in the Northern Territory 62](#Fig11)\n\n[Figure 12: Line of sight for Section 5.3: Managing park-wide threats affecting values 77](#Fig12)\n\n[Figure 13: Line of sight for Section 6: Kakadu as a visitor experience 100](#Fig13)\n\n[Figure 14: Line of sight for Section 7: Research and knowledge management 114](#Fig14)\n\n[Figure 15: Parks Australia’s Management Effectiveness Framework 147](#Fig15)\n\n[Figure 16: Camping areas in Kakadu 172](#Fig16)\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nPART A\n\n# Chapter page image featuring a lotus flowerIntroduction\n\n# 1 A description of Kakadu National Park\n\n# 1.1 Kakadu – a brief description\n\nKakadu National Park covers an area of 19,810 square kilometres within the Alligator Rivers Region of the Northern Territory of Australia. It extends from the coast in the north to the southern hills and basins 150 kilometres to the south, and 120 kilometres from the Arnhem Land sandstone plateau in the east, through wooded lowlands to the western boundary (Figure 1).\n\nKakadu is a cultural landscape that displays evidence of cultural practices dating back thousands of years and, in many cases, continue to be observed by Bininj/Mungguy in the park today. The park is diverse in language and tradition as it is home to many Aboriginal clan groups. Each clan group has responsibility for looking after and speaking for their own area of country. This responsibility is passed down through generations, along with the knowledge necessary to understand, manage and respect the ancient land. Use and management of the land by past and present generations of Bininj/Mungguy has helped to shape the landscape that we see today.\n\nThe park’s natural environment is a vast one of exceptional beauty and unique biodiversity. The rugged and ancient stone country provides refuge for a great diversity of native species, and is a hotspot of endemic plants and animals. Extensive floodplains support diverse habitats and a great concentration of waterbirds and other aquatic species. Largely intact woodlands and open forest dominate the lowlands and represent the largest area of savanna within a protected area in the world, while pockets of rainforest provide a cool and shady refuge for many other species.\n\nBoth the natural and cultural heritage values of the park have been recognised by its inscription on the World Heritage List under the World Heritage Convention. The park is also listed on the National Heritage List under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), and as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Many species that occur in the park are protected under international agreements including the Bonn Convention for conserving migratory species and Australia’s migratory bird protection agreements with China (CAMBA), Japan (JAMBA) and the Republic of Korea (ROKAMBA).\n\n# 1.2 The Aboriginal custodians\n\nCreation\n\nEvery culture has a creation story. Aboriginal people believe that they have been here from the time of the first ancestors, or Nayuhyunggi (in the Gundjeihmi language), when landscapes formed, ancestral beings transformed themselves into animals and sacred places were created.\n\nThe Nayuhyunggi were the first people who formed the landscape, planted foods and left people and language behind. At the completion of their creative activities, they ‘sat down’ and left their essence in the landscape. The whole landscape is evidence of not only their past activities but also their current presence (Chaloupka 1993).\n\n\n\n\nFigure 1: Location of Kakadu National Park\n\n \n\n\n\n\nCreation Ancestors came in many forms. The Rainbow Snake (Almudj/Alyod in Gundjeihmi and Bolung in Jawoyn) is a spiritual being of great significance in Aboriginal culture in Kakadu. Other ancestral beings include Bula (important creator), Namarrgon (Lightning Man) and Warramurrungundji (Earth Mother). The landscape and its features were left by the Creation Ancestors. They instituted and created ceremonies, rules to live by, laws, plants, animals and people, then they turned into djang (dreaming places and their spiritual essence). They taught Aboriginal people how to live with the land, and from then on Aboriginal people became keepers of their country.\n\n‘We Aboriginal people have obligations to care for our country, to look after djang, to communicate with our ancestors when on country and to teach all of this to the next generations.’\n\nCombined statement from the Aboriginal members of the Kakadu National Park Board of Management\n\nKinship\n\nEvery aspect of life and the responsibilities for looking after country is governed by kinship ties. Aboriginal languages have special linguistic features that eloquently express these ties and responsibilities.\n\nAboriginal society is organised into many kinds of social divisions. All people, plants, animals, places, weather, landscapes and ceremonies are divided into halves or moieties: the patrilineal moieties Duwa and Yirridjdja, and the matrilineal moieties Mardku and Ngarradjku.\n\nEach moiety is subdivided into four pairs of subsections or ‘skin groups’, and a child’s skin group is determined by that of their mother. Skin groups are used in regulating marriages and addressing or referring to Aboriginal people in culturally appropriate ways.\n\nEach clan and moiety has a number of clan totems and emblems. Sacred sites and other special places on each clan estate are the focus of religious life. If the totem is a plant or animal that is relied upon as a food source, then members of the owning clan traditionally had responsibilities to ensure a plentiful supply.\n\nClan estates and traditional owners\n\nKakadu includes the traditional lands of a number of Aboriginal clan groups.\n\n‘Land and people go together. Every place has a clan name, and every place has a clan.’\n\nJacob Nayinggul, Manilikar clan\n\nIn English the term ‘traditional owner’ is commonly used to refer to someone who is a member of the clan associated with a particular clan estate. The term has a particular meaning under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Land Rights Act). In the Kakadu area primary responsibility to land is determined according to traditional Aboriginal law and custom and involves making important decisions about the management of country such as protecting resources and sacred sites. While a person belongs to the clan of their father they still have responsibilities to their mother’s clan estate. Both men and women may be acknowledged as senior traditional Aboriginal owners.\n\n‘These laws need to be explained to non-Aboriginal people in the same way it is taught to children so we can all hold on to it and teach it to children who will grow up learning about their land with this law.’\n\nJacob Nayinggul, Manilikar clan\n\nLanguage and language groups\n\nCreation Ancestors were also responsible for the various languages that exist in the Park. These languages are associated with different tracts of land and the people who are the traditional owners. The traditional countries of some language groups are large and divided into distinct estates, others are smaller.\n\nMaking decisions about country\n\nBininj/Mungguy who have cultural responsibilities for management of a clan estate are key people in the planning and management of the park. Everyone who lives, works in or visits Kakadu must respect Bininj/Mungguy rules and it is important that these rules are passed on to young Bininj/Mungguy.\n\n‘When I want to do something on country I have to ask the right person. To go and burn country or do weed control I have to ask the right person, traditional way, because there’s many important sites there or whatever. This is our way.’\n\nBessie Coleman, Wurrkbarbar clan\n\n# 1.3 Establishment of Kakadu National Park\n\nBackground\n\nKakadu National Park (Figure 2) was established at a time when the Australian community was becoming more interested in the declaration of national parks for conservation and in recognising the land interests of Aboriginal people. A national park in the Alligator Rivers Region was first proposed in1965. Over the next decade several proposals for a major national park in the region were put forward by interested groups and organisations. One of these proposals suggested the name ‘Kakadu’, after the Gagudju people, for the national park. ‘Kakadu’ was the original spelling of the word as given by the biologist and anthropologist W Baldwin Spencer in 1912.\n\nIn 1973, the Australian Government set up a commission of inquiry into Aboriginal land rights in the Northern Territory. This commission considered how to recognise Aboriginal people’s land interests while providing for conservation management of the land. The commissioner in charge of this inquiry, Mr Justice Woodward, concluded: ‘It may be that a scheme of Aboriginal title, combined with national park status and joint management would prove acceptable to all interests’ (Woodward 1973).\n\nIn the early 1970s, significant uranium deposits were discovered in the Alligator Rivers Region at Ranger, Jabiluka and Koongarra. A formal proposal to develop the Ranger deposit was submitted to the Australian Government in 1975. The Government established the Ranger Uranium Environmental Inquiry to investigate the proposal, focusing on environmental issues and the social impact on Aboriginal people.\n\nDuring the time the inquiry was held, the Land Rights Act was passed by the Commonwealth Parliament. The Act allowed the commission set up to conduct the Ranger Inquiry to determine the merits of a claim to traditional Aboriginal ownership of land in the Alligator Rivers Region. This was the first claim heard under the Land Rights Act.\n\n\n\n\nFigure 2: Kakadu National Park\n\n \n\n\nThe Ranger Inquiry tried to work out a compromise between the problems of conflicting and competing land uses, including Aboriginal people living on the land, establishing a national park, uranium mining, tourism and pastoral activities in the Alligator Rivers Region. In August 1977, the Australian Government responded to the recommendations of the Ranger Inquiry. It accepted almost all the recommendations including those about granting Aboriginal title to areas in the Alligator Rivers Region and establishing Kakadu National Park in stages.\n\nAn arrangement was made for the traditional owners to lease land granted to them to the Australian Government for management as a national park. Mining would not be permitted in the park but was provided for on areas excluded from the park.\n\nEstablishment of the park and the park as Aboriginal land\n\nKakadu National Park was declared under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 (NPWC Act) in three stages between 1979 and 1991. The NPWC Act was replaced by the EPBC Act in 2000. The park continues as a Commonwealth reserve under the EPBC Act pursuant to the Environmental Reform (Consequential Provisions) Act 1999, which deems the park to have been declared for the following purposes:\n\n the preservation of the area in its natural condition\n\n the encouragement and regulation of the appropriate use, appreciation and enjoyment of the area by the public.\n\nEach stage of the park includes Aboriginal land under the Land Rights Act that is leased to the Director of National Parks (the Director), or land that is subject to a claim to traditional ownership under the Land Rights Act (see Figure 3).\n\nMost of the land that was to become part of Stage One of Kakadu National Park was granted to the Kakadu Aboriginal Land Trust under the Land Rights Act in August 1978 and, in November 1978, the Land Trust and the Director signed a lease agreement for the land to be managed as a national park. Stage One of the park – covering the leased land and land required for the township of Jabiru and some adjoining areas – was declared on 5 April 1979.\n\nStage Two was declared on 28 February 1984, originally as Kakadu (Stage 2) National Park and later incorporated into Kakadu National Park on 20 December 1985. In March 1978, a land claim was lodged under the Land Rights Act for the land included in Stage Two of Kakadu. The land claim was partly successful and, in 1986, three areas in the eastern part of Stage Two were granted to the Jabiluka Aboriginal Land Trust. A lease between the Land Trust and the Director of National Parks was signed in March 1991. At the time of preparing this plan the rest of Stage Two (except the commercial lease near the South Alligator River) is subject to ‘repeat’ land claims under the Land Rights Act. The land may become Aboriginal land during the life of this plan and will be leased to the Director.\n\nIn June 1987, a land claim was lodged for the land in the former Goodparla and Gimbat pastoral leases that were to be included in Stage Three of Kakadu. The other areas to be included in Stage Three – the area known as the Gimbat Resumption and the Waterfall Creek Reserve (formerly known as UDP Falls, UDP standing for Uranium Development Project) – were later added to this land claim. Stage Three of Kakadu National Park was declared progressively on 12 June 1987, 22 November 1989 and 24 June 1991.\n\n\n\n\nFigure 3: Aboriginal land and land claims in Kakadu National Park as at April 2014\n\n \n\n\nThe progressive declaration resulted from the debate over whether mining should be allowed at Guratba (Coronation Hill), which is located in the middle of the culturally significant area referred to as the Sickness Country. The traditional owners’ wishes were ultimately respected and the Australian Government decided that there would be no mining at Guratba. In 1996 the land in Stage Three, apart from the former Goodparla pastoral lease, was granted to the Gunlom Aboriginal Land Trust and leased to the Director of National Parks to continue being managed as part of Kakadu National Park. At the time of preparing this plan the land claim to the Goodparla area is still ongoing. The land may become Aboriginal land during the life of this plan and will be leased to the Director.\n\nIn 1997 the High Court found the Proclamation for Stage Three of Kakadu was invalid in relation to a number of mining leases including Coronation Hill and El Sherana. Following negotiation of a settlement with the holder of the Stage Three mining leases (Newcrest Operations Ltd), all affected areas were eventually incorporated into the park by a proclamation under the EPBC Act in May 2007.\n\nIn 1997 the Mirarr people, acknowledged as the traditional owners of the Jabiru township land, made a native title claim under the Native Title Act 1993 to the township area and two adjoining areas of the park. Agreement to settle the claim was reached in 2009. Under the agreement the claim areas would be granted as Aboriginal land under the Land Rights Act. At the time of preparing this plan the settlement has been partially implemented by the granting of the two areas adjoining the town to the Kakadu Aboriginal Land Trust and leased-back to the Director. The claim over the town area should be resolved during the life of this plan.\n\nThe Koongarra Project Area, which had been excluded from the declaration of Stage One of Kakadu in 1979, was incorporated into the park by a proclamation under the EPBC Act in February 2013.\n\n# 1.4 Park values and local, regional, national and international significance\n\nAs well as being important to Bininj/Mungguy, many things about Kakadu are special and important to other people. However, there are some attributes of the park which are fundamental to the park’s purpose and significance. These cultural and natural (or country) values are summarised in the park values statement and reflect aspects of the park that are recognised through World Heritage, Commonwealth Heritage and Ramsar listings.\n\nThis values statement (Table 1) identifies and separates the cultural and country values of the park because each have distinct threats and management priorities. Identification and separation of the cultural and country values assists in planning and management for them.\n\nFor Bininj/Mungguy, there are no local language words that equate exactly with the Western concepts of ‘culture’ and ‘country’. For Bininj/Mungguy the word ‘country’ not only refers to the landscape but also captures the rich interconnections between land and people – they are inseparable. Professor of Anthropology, Deborah Bird Rose, describes this concept in the following way:\n\n‘Indigenous people talk about country in the same way they talk about a person; they speak to country, sing to country, visit country, worry about country, feel sorry for country, and long for country. People say that country knows, hears, smells, takes notice, takes care, is sorry or happy .... country is a living entity with a yesterday, today and tomorrow, with a consciousness and a will toward life.’ (Rose 1996)\n\n\n\n\nIdentification and recognition of the park’s values ensures a shared understanding about what is most important about the reserve, and the value statement helps to focus management and planning on the important aspects. If the values are allowed to decline the park’s purpose and significance would be jeopardised.\n\nThe foundation for managing these values and the related threats and management issues includes the protection provided by the EPBC Act. Under the EPBC Act the park is assigned an Australian International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) category (national park) in this management plan, and the park must be managed in accordance with the management principles relevant to the assigned category and the obligations prescribed in the EPBC Regulations, and with regard to World Heritage, National Heritage and Ramsar listings.\n\n \n\nTable 1: Kakadu National Park Values Statement\n\n|  |\n| --- |\n| Kakadu National Park – Values Statement
Background
Kakadu National Park is Aboriginal land located in the Top End of Australia’s Northern Territory. It has been home to Indigenous people for more than 50,000 years. The people of this country, Bininj in the north and Mungguy in the south, have always cared for the land.
Kakadu is an ancient landscape of exceptional beauty and unique biodiversity. It stretches almost 20,000 square kilometres and is located at the convergence of four distinct bioregions: the Arnhem Plateau, Arnhem Coast, Darwin Coast and Pine Creek bioregions. Kakadu includes mangrove-fringed tidal plains in the north, vast floodplains, lowlands and the sandstone cliffs of the Arnhem Land escarpment. These landscapes undergo spectacular changes throughout the year with the passing of each of the six seasons of Kakadu. The park is home to a remarkable variety and concentration of wildlife, and many plants and animals are threatened or found nowhere else in the world.
The park was proclaimed under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 in three stages between 1979 and 1991 for the purposes of:
the preservation of the area in its natural condition
the encouragement and regulation of the appropriate use, appreciation and enjoyment of the area by the public.
The park is first and foremost home to Bininj/Mungguy. The long and continuing history of Bininj/Mungguy custodianship of Kakadu is one of the most important things about the park. Bininj/Mungguy have leased their land to the Australian Government to be jointly managed as a national park to protect and manage its priceless natural and cultural heritage. The management of the park is subject to a number of competing value systems, with Bininj/Mungguy and park staff working hard through joint management to balance the protection of Bininj/Mungguy culture and the park’s natural values with the needs of park visitors and other stakeholders. |\n\n\n\n\n\n| International listings |\n| --- |\n| Kakadu National Park was first inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1981 and was subsequently expanded and re-inscribed in 1987 and again in 1992. The Koongarra area was added to the World Heritage Area in June 2011. The park meets five criteria of outstanding universal values as set out in the World Heritage Convention.
The park meets all nine criteria for identifying wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Numerous migratory species that occur in Kakadu are protected under international agreements such as the Bonn convention for conserving migratory species, and Australia’s migratory bird protection agreements with China (CAMBA), Japan (JAMBA) and the Republic of Korea (ROKAMBA). |\n| Values |\n| This values statement identifies and separates the cultural and country values of the park. However, it must be remembered that for Bininj/Mungguy the word ‘country’ not only refers to the landscape but also captures the rich interconnections between land and people – they are inseparable and there are no Bininj/Mungguy words that equate exactly with the Western concepts of ‘culture’ and ‘country’. |\n| Cultural values
The park is an internationally significant cultural landscape inscribed with the signs of an ancient and continuing Bininj/Mungguy presence.
‘Bininj culture really strong ... very strong for us Bininj. When I was a girl my grandmother, I learn. Same thing I do with younger generation. You have to look after country, for your grandfather country, like mother country, take care.’
Yvonne Margarula, Mirarr/Gundjeihmi clan
Stone country in the park protects one of the world’s greatest concentrations of rock art sites, estimated to range in age from more than 20,000 years to the recent present, and constituting one of the longest historical records of any group of people in the world.
The park is a home for Bininj/Mungguy. It represents the oldest culture in the world with continuous occupation over 50,000 years, and is a place where Bininj/Mungguy have the opportunity to live and maintain their culture and pass it on to future generations.
The park protects a rich collection of Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites, including sacred and ceremonial sites, and archaeological sites that are some of the oldest occupation sites in Australia.
The park includes a collection of historic sites that tell the important story of the park‘s recent history and represent a way of life and use of country that no longer exist. |\n\n\n\n\n\n| Values - continued |\n| --- |\n| Country values
The park is an internationally significant natural landscape (including landforms and biota of great antiquity) comprising outstanding representation of interconnected ecosystems whose extent, intactness and integrity provides for a distinctive and rich biodiversity including viable populations of threatened, endemic and culturally significant species.
‘The park is one big living space ... the stone country is where everything comes from and is connected to the floodplains. It is important for the bush tucker, breeding, but everything is equally important as Kakadu is a living space.’
Jeffrey Lee, Djok clan
The park is a vast and continuous natural environment that comprises four main landscape types, each with distinct natural and cultural values:
The rugged, ancient and spectacular stone country within the park comprises a great diversity of native species, including many threatened species, and at least 160 plant species and many animals that occur nowhere else in the world.
The freshwater and saltwater country within the park encompasses some of the largest and most diverse river systems in northern Australia, including extensive wetlands, floodplains and mangroves that support vast numbers of waterbirds and other aquatic and marine species.
The vast, largely intact and dominant lowland woodlands and open forest in the park represents the largest area of savanna within a protected area in the world and provides habitat for the majority of the park’s plants and animals.
The rainforest areas within the park contribute a rich set of very different plant and animal species to those otherwise found in the park, including restricted, threatened and culturally significant species. |\n| As a result of these values, the park has great economic, social, research and regional significance. |\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nHow Kakadu is significant locally\n\nTo Bininj/Mungguy, Kakadu is of particular importance as it is their home and they have important cultural obligations to look after country. Many Bininj/Mungguy consider that they cannot or should not move to other places to live or work. The park is their traditional homeland and it is important to them that they are able to look after their country and culture and make sure that visitors to their country are safe. Many other people also enjoy the benefits that come from living in the park. For many residents in Jabiru and the Kakadu region, Kakadu is not only a place to live and work but also a place for recreation and a place where they can appreciate and learn about the park’s natural and cultural heritage.\n\nHow Kakadu is significant regionally\n\n### Conservation\n\nThe park is both representative and unique. It is representative of the ecosystems of a vast area of northern Australia. It is unique because it incorporates a large drainage basin (the South Alligator River) in its near entirety and all of the major habitat types of the Top End. It is where the Arnhem Land Plateau meets the southern hills and basins and the Alligator Rivers coastal floodplains (see Figure 4).\n\nThe stone country in Kakadu is part of the plateau of western Arnhem Land, which is the most significant region in the Northern Territory for biodiversity. It contains the greatest number of endemic and threatened species in the Northern Territory and also supports a high proportion of the Northern Territory’s rainforest estate. Kakadu is important for conservation in the region because it is a large area managed as a national park, whereas other areas of Top End habitats are managed primarily for purposes such as pastoralism, mining, or defence force use.\n\nMost of Kakadu is included within two Northern Territory Sites of Conservation Significance, the Western Arnhem Plateau and the Alligator Rivers coastal floodplain, due to the occurrence of large numbers of threatened and endemic species and large aggregations of waterbirds.\n\n### Regional economy\n\nTourism is very important to the regional economy, particularly in terms of employment. For the financial year 2013–14, Tourism NT reported that the direct value of tourism to the Northern Territory was $790 million (Tourism NT 2014a) and in the year ending March 2015 the Northern Territory attracted 1.34 million visitors (Tourism NT 2015a). It is estimated that in 2013–14 Kakadu National Park attracted 190,400 visitors. In addition to its significant contribution via the tourism market, the park purchases significant quantities of goods and services from regional suppliers.\n\nIt is important to the Northern Territory Government, Bininj/Mungguy and park management that tourism development in the park complements the tourism marketing strategies and plans for regional tourism development. The park is a significant provider of direct and indirect employment in the regional economy and provides opportunities for Bininj/Mungguy people and organisations through direct employment and outsourcing of services.\n\n### Recreation\n\nMany people from Darwin, Katherine and Pine Creek use the park for recreation. Fishing, camping, bushwalking and visiting with relatives and friends are some of the most popular activities. Kakadu offers recreational opportunities that complement those offered in the other parks, reserves and attractions in the region, such as the Mary River National Park, Nitmiluk, Litchfield and Gurig national parks, Fogg Dam, Window on the Wetlands and the Territory Wildlife Park.\n\nFigure 4: Kakadu’s major landscapes\n\n \n\n\n\n\nHow Kakadu is significant nationally\n\n### Conservation\n\nNearly 1,600 plant species have been recorded in Kakadu, including 15 species considered threatened. More than one-third of Australia’s bird fauna (271 species) and about one-quarter of Australia’s land mammals (77 species) are found in the park, along with 132 species of reptiles and 27 species of frogs. The region is the most species-rich in freshwater fish in Australia, and over 246 species of fish have been recorded in tidal and freshwater areas within the park. Additional species new to western science have also been discovered in the park since its inscription, most recently a gudgeon and a goby fish in 2013.\n\nKakadu is one of 19 World Heritage places in Australia and is included on the National Heritage List under the EPBC Act. At the time of preparing this plan, Kakadu is on the list of indicative places under consideration for inscription on the Commonwealth Heritage List.\n\nThe national park status and effective conservation management of Kakadu contribute significantly to meeting the objectives of a number of Australian national conservation strategies including the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity; the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development; and the National Forest Policy. The park also plays a major role in protecting representative examples of ecosystems within the Arnhem Plateau and Pine Creek bioregions, and contributing to the National Reserve System’s network of protected areas across Australia.\n\n### National economy\n\nTourism is a significant contributor to the Australian economy providing for $43 billion or 2.7 per cent of the national gross domestic product in 2013-14 (Tourism Research Australia 2014) and is actively encouraged and promoted nationally and internationally by government agencies and tourism industry stakeholders. Along with other places of natural beauty and cultural significance in Australia, such as Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park and the Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu is a major tourism attraction for domestic and overseas visitors.\n\n### Joint management\n\nThe management arrangements in the park between Bininj/Mungguy and the Director of National Parks continue to be cited as an example of an innovative cooperative management arrangement. Protected area and land management authorities and groups of Indigenous people interested in joint management from within Australia and overseas regularly visit the park, and the model of joint management used in Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks has been a blueprint for joint management more broadly.\n\nHow Kakadu is significant internationally\n\nKakadu is inscribed on the World Heritage List under the World Heritage Convention for its outstanding natural and cultural values. These values are described in the Retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (UNESCO 2014). Stage One of the park was inscribed on the list in 1981 and Stage Two in 1987. The whole of the park was listed in December 1992. In recognition of its outstanding natural and cultural values, the Koongarra area was added to the Kakadu World Heritage Area by the World Heritage Committee on 27 June 2011. As of 2013 Kakadu was one of only 29 World Heritage sites listed internationally for both natural and cultural heritage.\n\nAppendix A: summarises the World Heritage criteria and attributes of Kakadu.\n\nAs a listed World Heritage site Kakadu is recognised internationally for its rock art and archaeological sites which record a living cultural tradition that continues today.\n\nThe archaeological sites and rock art sites within the park exhibit great diversity, both in space and through time, yet embody a continuous cultural development. These sites are recognised internationally as preserving a record, not only in the form of archaeological sites but also through rock art, of human responses and adaptation to major environmental change including rising sea levels. Kakadu also contains archaeological sites which are currently some of the oldest dated within Australia.\n\nKakadu is also listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. The park was previously listed as two separate Ramsar sites. These were Stage One, listed on 12 June 1980 and extended in 1995; and Stage Two, listed on 15 September 1989. On 28 April 2010 the two Ramsar sites were combined to form a single Ramsar site encompassing the entire park. Appendix B summarises the Ramsar criteria of the park.\n\nIn March 1996, the parties to the Ramsar Convention agreed to establish an East Asian–Australasian Flyway to protect areas used by migratory shorebirds. The flyway provides for an East Asian–Australasian shorebird reserve network of sites that are critically important to migratory shorebirds. The wetlands of Kakadu are part of this reserve network.\n\nNumerous migratory species that occur in the park are protected under international agreements which include the Bonn Convention for conserving migratory species, and Australia’s migratory bird protection agreements with China (CAMBA), Japan (JAMBA) and the Republic of Korea (ROKAMBA) (Appendix C). Forty of the species listed under the Bonn Convention are found in Kakadu, as are 51 of the birds listed under CAMBA and 46 of the birds listed under JAMBA. Appendix D provides the EPBC Act listed migratory species that occur in the park.\n\nThe park encompasses all or most of three contiguous internationally recognised Important Bird Areas (Arnhem Plateau, Kakadu savanna and Alligator Rivers floodplain) substantially due to the presence of large numbers of globally threatened bird species.\n\n# 1.5 Joint management\n\nJoint management is a partnership between Bininj/Mungguy and government to share the land in Kakadu, and share responsibility for managing the land. Through joint management the partners work to protect the park’s values and share it with the public, bringing together traditional knowledge and modern science, and creating opportunities for Bininj/Mungguy to be involved in park management at all levels, establish businesses and preserve their culture for future generations.\n\nThe lease of Aboriginal land associated with the declaration of Stage One of Kakadu National Park in 1979 set out terms for consultation with traditional owners. At the same time the government committed to manage all of the land in the park as if it were Aboriginal land.\n\nThis effectively commenced joint management of the park and joint management of protected areas in Australia. Kakadu was also one of the first formally co-managed protected area arrangements in the world (Zurba et al. 2012). Since the commencement of joint management, the relationship between the Director of National Parks and Bininj/Mungguy has matured and evolved to the joint management relationship it is today.\n\nJoint management in Kakadu is formally based on a legal framework set in place by the NPWC Act (continued under the EPBC Act) and the Land Rights Act. The Land Rights Act provides for the granting of land to Aboriginal Land Trusts for the benefit of relevant Aboriginals (the traditional Aboriginal owners and other Aboriginals with rights of use and occupation) and requires land granted in the Alligator Rivers Region to be leased to the Director of National Parks. The EPBC Act provides for the park to be managed by the Director in conjunction with Bininj/Mungguy through the Board of Management. The Director is assisted by Parks Australia, whose staff are employees of the Department of the Environment assigned to the Director (see also Section 9.10: Implementing and evaluating the plan).\n\n# 2 Management plan framework\n\n# 2.1 Management planning process\n\nThis is the sixth management plan for Kakadu National Park. The fifth plan came into operation on 1 January 2007 and ceased to have effect on 31 December 2013.\n\nSection 366 of the EPBC Act requires that the Director of National Parks and the Board of Management for a Commonwealth reserve prepare management plans for the reserve. In addition to seeking comments from members of the public, the relevant land council and the relevant state or territory government, the Director and the Board of Management are required to take into account the interests of the traditional owners of land in the reserve and of any other Indigenous persons interested in the reserve.\n\nPrior to preparing this plan an audit (DNP 2012) was conducted to review the implementation of the fifth plan and to provide recommendations to assist with the preparation of this plan. For that purpose, nine independent auditors were engaged based on their expertise relevant to different sections of the plan. The auditors were asked to investigate whether the actions and policies in the plan were implemented and whether they successfully met the aims of each section of the plan.\n\nThe audit’s findings suggest that some aspects of park management could be improved, including:\n\n monitoring and reporting to provide evidence-based measures of progress\n\n monitoring and treatment of invasive plants and animals\n\n addressing threatened species decline\n\n supporting and improving consultation with Bininj/Mungguy\n\n assisting with proposals for establishing new living areas within the park\n\n improving opportunities for:\n\n- direct employment of Bininj/Mungguy\n\n- Bininj/Mungguy contracts for park maintenance activities.\n\nThe auditors also suggested that there should be a clearer link (or line of sight) between the park’s management actions and the desired outcomes and objectives, and that the performance indicators should be able to clearly demonstrate if management of the park is achieving the desired outcomes and objectives.\n\nIn February 2012 a notice was published inviting the public and relevant stakeholders to have their say towards the development of this plan. Seven formal submissions were received and the views expressed in those submissions were considered in the development of this plan.\n\nThe Kakadu National Park Board of Management (the Board) resolved that consultations be undertaken with Bininj/Mungguy on a clan-by-clan basis to seek comments on issues related to the management of the park. During the drafting stage of this plan, park staff conducted extensive consultations with over 128 Bininj/Mungguy during 14 participatory planning meetings. These meetings covered a range of park management issues including decision-making procedures; natural and cultural resource management; visitor management and park use; and Bininj/Mungguy employment. A number of Board meetings were also conducted to consider the development of the draft management plan and comments made by stakeholders. Appendix E summarises the consultations and planning timeframes undertaken in developing this plan.\n\nOther stakeholder groups and individuals who were consulted during the preparation of this management plan include:\n\n Kakadu Tourism Consultative Committee (KTCC) members\n\n Kakadu Research and Management Advisory Committee (KRMAC) members\n\n external natural and cultural resource management experts including Dr John Woirnaski, Dr Sandy Blair and Dr Sally May\n\n Northern Land Council and local Aboriginal associations and corporations\n\n neighbours and residents including the Nitmiluk National Park Board of Management and Energy Resources Australia\n\n Amateur Fisherman’s Association of the Northern Territory and Tourism NT\n\n park staff.\n\nOn 3 December 2014 a draft version of this plan was released and a notice was published seeking comments from the public, relevant stakeholders and anyone with an interest in the park. The public comment period closed on 14 February 2015 and a total of 31 submissions were received. The comments contained in these submissions were considered when finalising this plan.\n\n# 2.2 The planning framework\n\nThe framework of this plan is structured around two discrete elements\n\n1. Managing Kakadu: actions the Director can and will do over the life of this plan.\n\n\n- This part of the plan is structured around joint management, protecting the cultural and natural values of the park, developing and promoting Kakadu as a visitor destination, and increasing our understanding of the park’s values. It sets out policies which will apply to the Director’s activities over the life of the plan as well as describing the actions that will be taken towards achieving the outcomes described in the plan. Any policies relating to provisions of the EPBC Regulations that specifically apply to the activities of the Director in managing the park are also described.\n\n1. Managing use of Kakadu: what park users need to understand about accessing the park.\n\n\n- This part of the plan is structured around how the Director will enable and manage appropriate visitor and stakeholder activities in the park in accordance with the EPBC Act and EPBC Regulations. It sets out any policies which apply to park users. Policies include those related to provisions in the EPBC Regulations as well as policies which more broadly protect the park values or contribute to the effective management of the park.\n\n\n\n\nA values-based approach to planning\n\nThe essential natural and cultural values of the park identified in Table 1 clearly define what management of the park seeks to protect and present. Planning in the park and the structure of this management plan are based around these values so that the links (or line of sight) between the values, the desirable outcomes and objectives, the management actions and policies, and the performance indicators are visible and understood. Figure 5 illustrates this line-of-sight and simplified line-of-sight diagrams are used throughout this management plan.\n\nPrioritisation\n\nSection 5 of this plan (Looking after culture and country) is about managing the park values and identifies the existing and potential threats to the values. A number of the threats to the values were identified by a range of experts as being of high significance and are the basis for developing management actions to protect the values.\n\nIn addition to management focusing on significant threats, priority areas reflecting country values, priority cultural sites and significant species (see Table 2) will also be identified (see Section 7: Research and knowledge management). This acknowledges that in a resource-constrained environment, it may not be possible to manage threats to values across all landscapes or to actively manage all rock art or other cultural sites. Defining priority areas will form part of a broader approach to prioritising actions from the management plan (see Section 9.10: Implementing and evaluating the plan). For example, a site where a ‘highly significant’ threat overlaps a priority area is likely to be prioritised for action before other sites.\n\nThe performance monitoring plan (Section 9.10) will further describe which areas, sites, species and threats will be routinely monitored and the methods to be used for monitoring.\n\nFor other sections of the management plan – those relating to joint management, tourism, Jabiru and other living areas and business management – a series of management issues are presented rather than threats to values. These issues are not assessed for significance but actions are included to address them unless noted otherwise.\n\nThe park’s planning hierarchy\n\nThis management plan provides the strategic direction for managing the park over the next 10 years. It refers to management strategies, guidelines, plans and operational protocols that have been developed or will be developed with the explicit purpose of contributing to the achievement of objectives and outcomes described in this plan. These strategies, plans, guidelines and operational protocols will be reviewed and updated in accordance with this management plan and the Parks Australia Management Effectiveness Framework. Development of such documents is guided by relevant policies and actions in this plan; involves consultation with traditional owners, other relevant Aboriginals and other stakeholders; and is subject to final endorsement by the Board of Management. Strategies and guidelines for the implementation of management programmes for the park are often made available on the park website.\n\n\n\n\nFigure 5: Conceptual framework for the structure of this plan\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\nTable 2: Focus of management for the protection of park values\n\n| Values | Focus | Comments |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Cultural values | Priority sites | Identified sites with high cultural values that are a priority for management and/or monitoring |\n| Country/natural values | Priority areas | Identified areas within the major park landscapes with high natural values that are a priority for management and/or monitoring |\n| Country/natural values | Significant species | Species that are threatened, endemic, have cultural value or are of conservation concern for other reasons (declining, fire sensitive etc.) |\n| Country and cultural values | Significant threats | The threats to values in this plan that are described as ‘highly significant’ will have actions specifically tailored to address them within the same section of the plan. Actions for threats to values that are identified as being ‘moderately significant’ or of ‘low significance’ may be included in the same section of the plan or in Section 5.3: Managing park-wide threats affecting values. |\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nPART B\n\nGeneral provisions and IUCN category\n\n# 3 General provisions and IUCN category\n\n# 3.1 Short title\n\nThis management plan may be cited as the Kakadu National Park Management Plan 2016-2026.\n\n# 3.2 Commencement and termination\n\nThis management plan will come into operation following approval by the Minister under s.370 of the EPBC Act, on a date specified by the Minister or the day after it is registered under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, whichever is later, and will cease to have effect ten years after commencement, unless revoked sooner or replaced with a new plan.\n\n# 3.3 Interpretation\n\nDefinitions of terms, concepts, legislation and acronyms used in this plan are provided in the glossary in Appendix F.\n\n# 3.4 IUCN category\n\nThe EPBC Act requires this management plan assign the park to one of the seven Australian International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categories. The Australian IUCN categories correspond to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) protected area categories. The EPBC Regulations (Schedule 8) prescribe the Australian IUCN management principles for each IUCN category. The Australian management principles for IUCN protected area category II require taking account of the needs and aspirations of traditional owners and other Indigenous people in the park, specifically:\n\n- The needs of Indigenous people including subsistence resource use, to the extent that they do not conflict with the Australian IUCN management principles.\n- The aspirations of traditional owners of land within the reserve or zone, their continuing land management practices, the protection and maintenance of cultural heritage and the benefit the traditional owners derive from enterprises, established in the reserve or zone, consistent with Australian IUCN management principles should be recognised and taken into account.\n\n\nThe category to which the park is assigned is guided by the purposes for which the park was declared (see Appendix G: Legislative context). The purposes for which Kakadu National Park was declared are consistent with the characteristics for IUCN protected area category II ‘national park’.\n\nUnder the IUCN categorisation system (Dudley 2008), it is acknowledged that the primary objective for a protected area should apply to at least three-quarters of the protected area–known as the 75 per cent rule. The IUCN thus recognises that up to 25 per cent of land or water within a protected area can be managed for other purposes so long as these are compatible with the primary objective of the protected area.\n\nWithin Kakadu it is estimated that less than one per cent of the park is utilised for residential and visitor accommodation, infrastructure and other uses. Use of the park for these purposes is clearly consistent with the IUCN guidelines for applying protected area management categories (Dudley 2008) and not inconsistent with the Australian IUCN management principles for the National Park category.\n\n\n\n\nPolicies\n\n# 3.4.1 The park is assigned to IUCN protected area category II ‘national park’ and will be managed in accordance with the prescribed management principles in Schedule 8 of the EPBC Regulations for that category and listed in Appendix H (IUCN administrative and management principle schedules).\n\n# 3.4.2 Any areas that may be added to the park during the life of the plan will be managed in accordance with the IUCN protected area category II management principles and relevant policies and actions in this plan.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nPART C\n\nManaging Kakadu \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nWhat the Director will do to:\n\n work with Bininj/Mungguy\n\n support the aspirations of Bininj/Mungguy to be actively involved in decision-making and park management\n\n protect and present the values of Kakadu\n\n ensure effective park management.\n\n# 4 Joint management\n\nThis section sets out the policies for supporting joint management in Kakadu, including any EPBC Act provisions which directly relate to the Director of National Parks (the Director), and the actions the Director will take over the life of the plan to work towards achieving the objective and outcomes of this section.\n\n \n\n## Objective\n\n## The park is managed through a strong and successful partnership between Bininj/Mungguy and the Australian Government (as represented by the Director of National Parks), and Bininj/Mungguy satisfy their aspirations for benefits from land ownership\n\n \n\nJoint management is about Bininj/Mungguy and Parks Australia working together and deciding what should be done to manage the park with and on behalf of Bininj/Mungguy and for other interests. The partners work together to solve problems, sharing decision-making responsibilities and exchanging knowledge, skills and information. An important objective of joint management is to ensure that Bininj/Mungguy traditional knowledge and skills associated with looking after culture and country, and cultural rules regarding how decisions are made, continue to be respected and maintained.\n\n## Overarching principles for joint management\n\nThis section of the plan provides the framework for effective joint management processes across all elements of this plan. In jointly managing the park the following overarching principles apply:\n\n Bininj/Mungguy cultural and traditional knowledge, customs, values and priorities will be respected and will inform management priorities and programmes\n\n Bininj/Mungguy will be encouraged and supported to guide and actively participate in the development, implementation and review of management programmes and all aspects of park management\n\n the [land](http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nt/consol_act/tpawca451/s9.html#land) management skills and expertise of both [joint management partners](http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nt/consol_act/tpawca451/s22.html#joint_management_partners) will be utilised to manage the park\n\n the joint management partners will share responsibility for decision-making and managing the park.\n\n \n\n\n\n\nThe joint management relationship in Kakadu has evolved since the lease agreement was signed for Stage One of the park in 1978. The elders who ‘foot walked’ the country and were intimately connected to the land have now passed on. The next generation of Bininj/Mungguy have grown up with the park joint management relationship and have stepped up as the decision makers. Some people have expressed concerns about the pace of change (both Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda changes) and the effects that these changes are having on people’s lives today. It is vitally important that Bininj/Mungguy continue to be involved in park management, and equally important that management of the park continues to actively negotiate a balance that ensures the values of the park are looked after, the aspirations of Bininj/Mungguy are met, and the interests of other stakeholders are accommodated as far as possible. The joint management relationship will continue to change and evolve over the life of this plan and into the future. Ongoing investment in training and other capacity building will help to nurture new leaders, and new opportunities, such as the outsourcing of park tasks, will continue to be identified and further developed.\n\nFigure 6 illustrates the line of sight for this section of the plan.\n\n \n\nFigure 6: Line of sight for Section 4: Joint management\n\n\n\n\n\n\n# 4.1 Making decisions and working together (Board of Management)\n\n#### Outcome\n\n Decisions made by the joint management partners are informed, consistent, transparent and accountable, and support the protection of park values\n\n#### Performance indicators\n\n Board governance processes followed in accordance with the Board of Management meeting rules and handbook\n\n Board satisfaction with Kakadu Research and Management Advisory Committee and Kakadu Tourism Consultative Committee\n\n#### Background\n\nAs noted in Section 1.5, joint management was established when the lease of land in Stage One of the park was signed between the Kakadu Aboriginal Land Trust and the Director of National Parks in 1978 and the government committed to managing all of the park as if it were Aboriginal land. The lease agreements between the Director and the Kakadu, Jabiluka and Gunlom Aboriginal Land Trusts include obligations on the Director to:\n\n manage the park to the highest possible standard\n\n protect the interests of Bininj/Mungguy and areas and things that are important to them\n\n encourage the maintenance of Bininj/Mungguy traditions\n\n use traditional skills in park management\n\n promote Bininj/Mungguy engagement in park management and service delivery\n\n encourage businesses within the park.\n\nThe leases also say the Director will regularly consult the Northern Land Council and Bininj/Mungguy associations about management of the park.\n\nJoint management responsibility for decision-making was formalised when the Board of Management was established (see below). Successful joint management is based on a partnership of trust, commitment, and shared responsibility which involves bringing together Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda knowledge and experience and interweaving the two law systems together in making decisions. Making this work requires Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda learning from each other, respecting each other’s culture and bringing together the different approaches. At the core of shared decision-making is open communication and mutual commitment to looking after country and culture.\n\nShared decision-making in the park requires consultation and active participation in the process from both Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda to ensure decisions respect cultural protocols and meet obligations under the EPBC Act and other relevant Australian laws.\n\n\n\n\nUnder Bininj/Mungguy cultural protocols and practices, Bininj/Mungguy are responsible for making decisions about their country and are guided by customary decision-making structures, seniority and kinship obligations.\n\n ‘Bininj laws must be followed, with Balanda law backing up Bininj law.’\n\nJonathon Nadji, Bunitj clan\n\nBoard of Management\n\nThe Board of Management for the park was established in 1989 under the NPWC Act and continued under the EPBC Act. The composition of the Board must be agreed between the Minister (who appoints Board members) and the Northern Land Council, but the Act requires a majority of Board members must be Indigenous persons nominated by the traditional owners of land in the park. Bininj/Mungguy representation on the Board covers the geographic spread of Aboriginal people within the Kakadu region as well as the major language groups, and the Board has determined that the Chairperson be appointed from the Aboriginal members of the Board. Under the EPBC Act, the Board of Management has the functions of preparing the management plan with the Director, making decisions concerning implementation of the plan (including allocation of resources and setting priorities), monitoring management of the park and providing advice to the Minister on all aspects of the future development of the park.\n\nGovernance workshops and training were held for Board members in 2010 and 2011 to facilitate and support shared decision-making by the Board within the joint management partnership. This resulted in a number of governance documents being produced including Board meeting rules and member handbook.\n\nDirector of National Parks\n\nThe EBPC Act gives the Director the function of administering, managing and controlling the park and protecting biodiversity and heritage in the park. The Act and the EPBC Regulations give the Director a number of specific powers to assist in the performance of these functions, for example power to determine park entry and use charges (subject to approval of the Minister), to control certain activities and to issue permits. The Director must carry out these functions and use these powers in accordance with this plan.\n\nAs noted above the Director has a number of obligations under the current lease agreements with the Kakadu, Jabiluka and Gunlom Aboriginal Land Trusts to protect Bininj/Mungguy interests and culture. Together with the EPBC Act, the leases are key documents for guiding decision-making and the EPBC Act requires this plan to be consistent with the Director’s lease obligations. The full provisions of the leases at the time of preparing this plan are included as Appendix I to this plan. The Park Manager makes day-to-day management decisions and exercises powers on behalf of the Director in accordance with this plan, Board decisions, the EPBC Act and other legislation.\n\nNorthern Land Council\n\nThe Northern Land Council (NLC), which is established under the Land Rights Act, has broad functions to assist and represent the interests of the traditional Aboriginal owners of land and other Aboriginals. Under the park leases the NLC has a number of specific roles, including to be consulted regularly about the management of the park. Under the EPBC Act the Director is required to consult the NLC about park management generally and in relation to preparation of management plans in particular.\n\n\n\n\nBoard consultative committees\n\nTo help the Board make informed decisions, it has established the Kakadu Tourism Consultative Committee (KTCC) and the Kakadu Research and Management Advisory Committee (KRMAC). The KTCC provides the Board with advice on tourism issues and the views of tourism stakeholders. The primary purpose of the KRMAC is to provide advice to the Board on research and management issues and priorities for the park. The KRMAC members are researchers with expertise in natural and cultural resource management or tourism, Indigenous economic interests or other areas related to park management.\n\n#### Management issues\n\n The Board, Director and park staff need to make decisions and manage the park in accordance with the EPBC Act and Regulations, the leases, this plan, and other Australian laws, but must include Bininj/Mungguy cultural protocols, practices, laws and customs (including clan-based decision-making) to the greatest extent possible.\n\n At the time of preparing this plan not all the land in the park was Aboriginal land under the Land Rights Act but management to date (including the composition of the Board and previous management plans) has been based on the principle, established when the park was first declared in 1979, of managing the whole park as if it is Aboriginal land.\n\n Values important to Bininj/Mungguy, as well as other recognised values, need to be understood and protected.\n\n People involved in decision-making should have equal access to accurate and relevant information.\n\n Good communication is needed between the joint management partners so that expectations are understood and issues can be resolved.\n\n The joint management relationship is a dynamic one and changes over time depending on the people involved and their expectations of, and aspirations for, joint management. Regular checks are needed to ensure joint management continues to be successful in the future.\n\n The Board needs adequate resources to carry out its functions under the EPBC Act.\n\n Bininj/Mungguy should be consulted appropriately to inform Board decisions.\n\n Other stakeholders should be consulted in structured and timely ways as far as possible.\n\n Consultation and decision-making processes need to be clear and consistently followed. Records of consultations and decisions need to be properly kept.\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 4.1.1 Decision-making in the park will be consistent with:\n\n1. the purpose for which the park was declared\n2. the reserve management principles for the IUCN category ‘national park’\n3. the vision and guiding principles (see page iii)\n4. the decision-making processes shown in Table 3\n5. consultation guidelines developed by the Board and NLC and reviewed from time to time\n6. the EPBC Act and other relevant legislation\n7. the Director’s obligations under leases of Aboriginal land in the park.\n\n\n# 4.1.2 The Board will be supported through provision of:\n\n1. resources reasonably necessary for it to carry out its functions under the EPBC Act\n2. regular training on governance and leadership to support Board members in their legal and policy roles and responsibilities\n3. relevant and appropriate information to assist in making informed decisions in a timely manner, and in a culturally appropriate format (including with the use of an interpreter where possible).\n\n\n# 4.1.3 KRMAC and KTCC, established by and operating under terms of reference determined by the Board, will continue their roles until otherwise determined by the Board, and will be provided secretariat support.\n\n# 4.1.4 Where stakeholders’ interests are likely to be affected by decisions (including decisions about strategies, plans and other documents that assist in the implementation of this plan), the Board and the Director will, as far as practicable:\n\n1. consult with stakeholders in a timely and structured way\n2. take the views of stakeholders into account before decisions are made\n3. provide the reasons for decisions\n4. inform the tourism industry with 12–18 months’ notice when significant changes are made to visitor management in the park that will affect tourism products and their promotion, forward contracting and sales (except where immediate action is warranted, such as where public safety is at risk or where requested by Bininj/Mungguy for significant cultural reasons as outlined in the cultural closure protocols (Section 4.2.10)).\n\n\nSee also Sections 9.7 (Neighbours, stakeholders and partnerships) and 6.1 (Destination and visitor experience development).\n\nActions\n\n# 4.1.5 Review joint management arrangements by midway (five years) through the life of this plan, taking into consideration park lease provisions at the time of the review.\n\n# 4.1.6 Review the terms of reference of KRMAC and KTCC midway (five years) through the life of this plan, or more frequently if required, to ensure they remain closely aligned with park priorities.\n\n# 4.1.7 Consult with the Board and take account of Board decisions early in the development and/or review of Director of National Parks corporate and Parks Australia agency-wide policies and guidelines.\n\n# 4.1.8 Produce a periodic newsletter or other agreed format for distribution to Bininj/Mungguy to communicate key messages and inform them about Board activities and opportunities to participate in park programmes and management.\n\n\n\n\nTable 3: Guide to decision-making\n\n| Category | Example | Decision-making process |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Routine actions
Actions that have no impact, or no more than a negligible impact, on the park’s environment and natural and cultural values; on the interests of Bininj/Mungguy and/or stakeholders; and/or on visitor use or changes to existing facilities and services in the park |
Minor capital works e.g. maintenance, replacement, repair or improvement of existing infrastructure in its present formRegular/routine ongoing operations to implement prescriptions in this plan, e.g. patrols, weed control, fire managementMinor new operations to implement prescriptions in this planSeasonal opening/closing of visitor areasIssuing permits for regular activities in accordance with this plan, e.g. land-based tours, camping and researchEmployment for day labour and seasonal programmes |
Process accords with management plan policies, prescriptions and procedures and the park’s manual of proceduresBininj/Mungguy are consulted where necessary and in accordance with Board/NLC consultation guidelinesDecision is made by an appropriate officer |\n| Non-routine actions
Actions that have more than a negligible impact, or have a significant impact, on the park’s environment and natural and cultural values; on the interests of Bininj/Mungguy and stakeholders; and/or on visitor use or changes to existing facilities and services in the Park |
Moderate or major capital works, e.g. new infrastructure or expansion/upgrade of existing infrastructure such as outstations, realignment of roads, new campgroundsRehabilitation of heavily eroded sites and minesMajor new operations or developments to implement prescriptions in this planDevelopments for approved existing tourism activities that require major works, e.g. safari campsMajor/long-term changes to existing visitor access arrangementsExpansion of the Jabiru townshipTour operator accreditation systemNew types of commercial activitiesIssuing of leases/licencesEmployment of park management staff |
Process accords with management plan policies, prescriptions and proceduresBininj/Mungguy are consulted where necessary and in accordance with Board/NLC consultation guidelinesKTCC and/or KRMAC are consulted as necessaryRelevant stakeholders are consulted/ informedDecision is made by Board of Management |\n\n\n\n\n\n# 4.2 Making decisions and working together (on country)\n\n#### Outcome\n\n Bininj/Mungguy are integrally involved in planning and implementing work programmes\n\n#### Performance indicators\n\n Opportunities for Bininj/Mungguy involvement in park decision-making, planning and implementing work programmes\n\n Indigenous representation on staff\n\n#### Background\n\nBininj/Mungguy have important obligations to care for country and to pass on knowledge to the next generations. The Director also has responsibilities to look after country. Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda looking after country together is one of the most successful expressions of joint management in the park. Bininj/Mungguy involvement in park management is therefore of central importance to successful joint management.\n\nTo help ensure that Bininj/Mungguy participate in decision-making related to managing the park, park staff consult with Bininj/Mungguy on a range of issues in accordance with guidelines developed by the Board in collaboration with the NLC. In carrying out consultations with Bininj/Mungguy, assistance may be sought from the NLC and relevant Aboriginal associations to arrange consultations with, and provide information for and from, Bininj/Mungguy.\n\nBininj/Mungguy are also encouraged to participate in decision-making and planning of park programmes and work plans through a range of other ways including community meetings held in park districts, representation on staff selection panels and working groups. Bininj/Mungguy contribute to the development of cultural protocols which are used in decision-making and when managing country. Protocols such as Indigenous research protocols and those for Sickness Country promote Bininj/Mungguy opportunities, interests and joint management. Development of protocols for temporary closure of parts of the park for cultural reasons has been identified as a priority.\n\nIt is important for Bininj/Mungguy to be involved in implementation of natural, cultural and visitor programmes, and opportunities to do this are made available through a range of permanent, contract and flexible employment opportunities in park management, administration and on-ground programmes. As well as direct employment through ongoing or non-ongoing positions, Bininj/ Mungguy are engaged in casual work (day labour). This programme offers flexible work arrangements and helps to fill labour requirements during busy times. Bininj/Mungguy are also engaged through third-party employment and as contractors to provide services in and in relation to the park, for example maintaining campgrounds or conducting interpretative talks.\n\nDuring the life of the previous plan, the number of Indigenous people employed in the park improved, with almost half (48 per cent) of staff employed on ongoing or non-ongoing contracts identified as Indigenous in 2014. Additionally, half of all staff on casual employment contracts identified as Indigenous, with a large number of these casual opportunities being made available through the National Environmental Research Programme. The Working on Country funded Kakadu Indigenous Ranger Programme has also provided 11 hosted community ranger positions in the park and engaged over 30 Indigenous community rangers since 2008–09.\n\n\n\n\nBininj/Mungguy traditional knowledge and interests are incorporated in the planning and implementation of all park programmes. Cross-cultural training for staff also helps to facilitate a shared understanding of different cultures and promote Bininj/Mungguy involvement in decision-making and implementing programmes.\n\nManagement issues\n\n Consultation and decision-making processes and protocols need to be clear and consistently followed. Records of consultations and decisions need to be properly kept. It can be time-consuming and resource intensive to determine the right people to consult with and conduct consultations with Bininj/Mungguy spread throughout and outside the park.\n\n Employment opportunities, consultation opportunities, and other opportunities to participate in decision-making and implementation of the plan are not always taken up or retained by Bininj/Mungguy.\n\n There is an ongoing need for cross-cultural awareness between park staff and Bininj/Mungguy.\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 4.2.1 The park will be managed as if all land in the park is Aboriginal land under the Land Rights Act. Where traditional ownership of an area is unclear, consultation will occur with all Bininj/Mungguy who have traditional rights in relation to the area.\n\n# 4.2.2 The consultation guidelines developed by the Board and the NLC that guide when and how Bininj/Mungguy are consulted on routine and non-routine development proposals and actions will be used when consulting with Bininj/Mungguy. The guidelines will be reviewed by the Board (see Section 4.2.8).\n\n# 4.2.3 Bininj/Mungguy cultural protocols and practices will be acknowledged and respected in decision-making and management where consistent with this plan and other legal requirements, including by:\n\n1. recognising that clans want to guide decision-making related to the management of their country in the park\n2. using documented protocols (such as Sickness Country protocols and Indigenous research protocols) when working on country.\n\n\n# 4.2.4 Bininj/Mungguy values, traditional practices and knowledge will continue to be recognised and incorporated in park planning, implementation and review of all management programmes, and as important components of staff development.\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 4.2.5 Encourage and support Bininj/Mungguy to be involved in park decision-making and the development of natural, cultural and visitor programmes and work plans through, but not limited to:\n\n1. consultations conducted as per consultation guidelines, including the review of priorities for implementing actions in this plan (see Section 9.10).\n2. opportunities to participate in regular community meetings in districts\n3. representation on working groups and in staff selection processes.\n\n\n\n\n\n# 4.2.6 Engage as many Bininj/Mungguy as possible to implement this plan. Ways to do this will include but not be limited to:\n\n1. involvement of the Board in decision-making\n2. providing Bininj/Mungguy with a range of permanent, contract and flexible employment opportunities and associated learning and development support in park management, administration and on-ground programmes\n3. advisory committees established by the Board to provide advice on a particular issue or project\n4. providing opportunities to increase outsourcing of park maintenance activities and aspects of park management such as threat abatement and fire management activities to Aboriginal corporations or enterprises where appropriate and where capacity exists\n5. encouraging external contractors, consultants, and researchers to partner with or employ Bininj/Mungguy, including providing apprenticeships where practicable\n6. school information and development programmes.\n\n\n# 4.2.7 Negotiate and implement agreements with the NLC and assist the NLC to carry out its statutory functions in the park, commensurate with park resourcing.\n\n# 4.2.8 Review the consultation guidelines midway (five years) through the life of this plan and develop and maintain a central database that records all decisions made in consultation with Bininj/Mungguy.\n\n# 4.2.9 Develop protocols to guide temporary closure of visitor sites and parts of the park for cultural reasons.\n\n# 4.2.10 In consultation with the NLC and the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA), review cultural protocol documents (including Sickness Country protocols and Indigenous research protocols), and consolidate where possible to ensure decision-making and other activities on the ground are guided by appropriate protocols and in a consistent manner.\n\n# 4.2.11 Provide cross-cultural exchange and awareness training, including information on joint management and park governance, for new park staff, both Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda, and all Parks Australia staff involved in policy development relevant to the park to ensure a shared understanding of both Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda approaches.\n\n\n# 4.3 Bininj/Mungguy training and other opportunities\n\n#### Outcome\n\n Bininj/Mungguy are provided with training and development opportunities and gain social and economic benefits from the park\n\n#### Performance indicators\n\n Training and development opportunities provided for Indigenous staff and Bininj/Mungguy\n\n Bininj/Mungguy contractors directly or indirectly providing park services\n\n Bininj/Mungguy businesses created or supported\n\n#### Background\n\nThe park lease agreements (see Appendix I: Provisions of leases) commit the Director to maintaining an investment in training and development of Bininj/Mungguy in park management. In response to this, Parks Australia directly invests in Indigenous engagement, training and employment and has a range of programmes supporting Indigenous employment pathways, including the Junior Ranger Programme, work experience, apprenticeship and trainee programmes. The Junior Ranger Programme activities have been expanded in recent years to include Gunbalanya and Pine Creek schools, and approximately 40 students participate in the programme’s activities annually.\n\nFigure 7 highlights some of the programmes supporting Indigenous employment pathways in the park.\n\n \n\nFigure 7: Summary of programmes supporting Indigenous employment pathways in Kakadu\n\n\n\n\n\n\nStaff training and development is recognised as essential to retaining staff and developing management and leadership capability. Numerous training events are held each year; for example, some 30 different training events were provided for park staff in 2011–12 to assist with developing Indigenous staff and promoting effective joint management. A training strategy was developed in 2010 to guide training programmes. The training committee meets quarterly to make decisions relating to investment in staff learning and development.\n\nParks Australia also provides training and helps to facilitate the provision of training to build capacity of Bininj/Mungguy to take on contracts to deliver park services, and this is likely to become more important in the future. Other park policy and programme initiatives relating to Indigenous training include the Parks Australia mobility policy and opportunities for staff exchange, and the introduction of mentoring guidelines.\n\nThe park receives support from the Department of the Environment in accordance with priorities identified in the Department’s Indigenous Employment and Capability Strategy. This includes support for governance and leadership training for elected Indigenous Staff Network members and conference attendance. Significant support for Indigenous employment, training and development is also sourced from external partners including Charles Darwin University, Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education and others that provide training in literacy and numeracy, job-readiness and career pathways.\n\nBininj/Mungguy receive benefits from commercial tourism in the park. Commercial tourism licence arrangements include a requirement for joint ventures with Bininj/Mungguy, employment and training and in-kind support. Licence arrangements also benefit Bininj/Mungguy commercial operators through discounted fees and, where appropriate, exclusive access arrangements (see also Section 6.2: Commercial tourism).\n\n#### Management issues\n\n Bininj/Mungguy want to benefit more from the economic activity associated with the park, either through direct employment or by developing their own or joint enterprises.\n\n Bininj/Mungguy want to develop the skills they need to work in a range of positions related to the administration, control and management of the park and to ensure that Bininj/Mungguy land management skills are maintained.\n\n Senior Bininj/Mungguy would like young Bininj/Mungguy to learn about their culture, country and park management so they can be actively involved in the management of the park in the future. There are many social and economic factors outside the control of park management that influence Bininj/Mungguy employment in the park and the benefits that Bininj/Mungguy gain from the park.\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 4.3.1 The Director will work with Bininj/Mungguy and in collaboration with existing businesses, the broader tourism industry and other park stakeholders to develop partnerships and other ways of increasing opportunities for Bininj/Mungguy, related to implementation of this plan. This may involve linking Bininj/Mungguy with, and providing support for, people who can provide relevant skills development, advice and appropriate development opportunities.\n\n# 4.3.2 The Director will work with Bininj/Mungguy and other stakeholders to promote and facilitate Bininj/Mungguy tourism and other enterprise opportunities and training for them where appropriate (see also Section 6: Kakadu as a visitor experience destination, commercial tourism and promotion).\n\n\n\n\nActions\n\n# 4.3.3 Implement, review and update the park training strategy to guide training programmes in the park.\n\n# 4.3.4 In conjunction with relevant partners, develop, implement and regularly review Bininj/Mungguy learning and development strategies and outcomes linked to implementing this plan. Where possible strategies will take a collaborative and regional approach and will include provision for:\n\n1. accredited training and studies\n2. literacy and numeracy development\n3. ongoing career development, mentoring and coaching, including supervisory and management skill development\n4. learning and development opportunities to assist Bininj/Mungguy in gaining employment, such as writing resumes and job interview skills\n5. working with stakeholders to help facilitate Bininj/Mungguy enterprise development\n6. linking Bininj/Mungguy with, and providing support for, people and organisations that can provide other relevant skill development, advice and opportunities.\n\n\n# 4.3.5 Develop and implement career pathway programmes for young Bininj/Mungguy that help teach them about culture, country and park management, and where possible work with other organisations to do this. These programmes may include:\n\n1. a junior ranger or similar programme\n2. school-to-work transition programmes and traineeships\n3. casual work and park management service contract opportunities\n4. on-the-job training and development opportunities\n5. park career and employment information\n6. mentoring, buddy or coaching arrangements\n7. work experience opportunities.\n\n\n# 4.3.6 Maintain a database of training and development opportunities for Bininj/Mungguy in order to review progress and allow evaluation of training programs.\n\n# 4.3.7 Continue to explore options for Bininj/Mungguy to undertake delivery of park services (see also Section 4.2.6).\n\n\n\n\n# 5 Looking after culture and country\n\nThis section sets out the policies for managing the natural and cultural values in Kakadu, including any EPBC Act provisions which directly relate to the Director, and the actions the Director will take over the life of the plan to work towards achieving the objectives and outcomes of this section.\n\n# 5.1 Looking after culture\n\n## Cultural values\n\nThe park is an internationally significant cultural landscape inscribed with the signs of an ancient and continuing Bininj/Mungguy presence\n\n \n\n \n\n## Objective\n\nSupport the maintenance of Bininj/Mungguy culture and maintain the condition of priority cultural sites\n\n \n\nThe cultural values of the park are immense. For management purposes they are divided within this plan into rock art, Bininj/Mungguy cultural knowledge and practices, other Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites and historic sites. Each of these groups has distinct values, threats and management priorities. Management of the park’s cultural values is guided by the An-garregen (cultural heritage) Strategy developed in 2011 through a participatory process with Bininj/Mungguy, and in consultation with the Kakadu Board of Management. The active participation of Bininj/Mungguy in management of the cultural values is integral to the effective protection of them.\n\nA major symposium on cultural heritage was held in the park in 2011 which brought together over 100 Bininj/Mungguy, researchers and other stakeholders to hear about the park’s cultural values and consider priorities for management in the future. A cultural heritage information management system (CHIMS) was also developed during the life of the fifth management plan. Cultural data and information is continuing to be uploaded into it. The system can be used to schedule and prioritise future work as needed.\n\nFigure 8 illustrates the line of sight for this section of the plan.\n\n \n\n\n\n\nFigure 8: Line of sight for Section 5.1: Looking after culture\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n\nRock Art\n\n#### Outcome\n\n Priority rock art sites are managed to mitigate impacts from threatening processes\n\n#### Performance indicator\n\n A reduction in the overall impact of weathering, fire, plants, animals, insects and human activities on priority rock art sites\n\n#### Background\n\nThe stone country of Kakadu holds one of the world’s greatest concentrations of rock art sites: over 5,000 rock art sites have been recorded and it is thought there could be 10,000 to 15,000 art sites in total. The images, estimated to range in age from 20,000 years to the recent present, constitute one of the longest historical records of any group of people in the world. They tell a story of a changing environment, changing species and changing lifestyles within the Kakadu region and also illustrate objects, animals and activities familiar to people today, providing an important tangible record of chronological change as well as artistic tradition.\n\nRock art sites are an important storehouse of traditional knowledge and a place where people can learn about law and other aspects of cultural life, and are highly significant for Bininj/Mungguy. Strong associations exist between these sites and their living traditions and beliefs, and rock art serves as a reminder of the old people that have passed on and the responsibilities for looking after country.\n\n‘Through these paintings the old people were teaching the young generation ... and passing on stories.’\n\nTraditional owner\n\nMimi spirits were the first of the Creation Ancestors to paint on rock. They taught some Bininj/Mungguy how to paint and other Bininj/Mungguy learned by copying Mimi art. At the end of their journeys, some Creation Ancestors put themselves on rock walls as paintings and became djang (dreaming places). Some of these paintings are andjamun (sacred and dangerous) and can be seen only by senior men or women; others can be seen by all people (Chaloupka 1993).\n\nPublic access is provided to three major rock art sites within the park including Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock) and Nanguluwurr in the Nourlangie region, and Ubirr in the East Alligator region. Walking tracks, boardwalks and interpretation materials have been provided at these sites.\n\n#### Values and condition\n\nRock art within the park:\n\n represents one of the world’s great rock art provinces, containing a vast number of sites, with over 5,000 known sites and possibly 10,000 to 15,000 in total\n\n represents a continuous tradition over tens of thousands of years\n\n provides a storehouse of traditional knowledge including stories and law and is a powerful teaching tool for young Bininj/Mungguy\n\n provides links to ancestors and the landscape and a record of a changing environment and lifestyle over many thousands of years.\n\n\n\n\n The condition of rock art in the park continues to suffer the impacts of fire, feral animals, weathering and insect damage. There has been no systematic survey of rock art in the park since 1996 and hence the condition of most recorded sites is largely unknown. There is also a lack of knowledge of the condition of sites that have not been formally recorded, particularly in areas that are difficult to access.\n\n#### Existing threats to values\n\n Loss of traditional knowledge (highly significant)\n\nThere has been a major loss of knowledge relating to rock art sites throughout the park due to insufficient recording and intergenerational transfer of knowledge about these sites. This has impacted on the values of the sites, making active interpretation and management difficult due to a lack of knowledge of appropriate management protocols.\n\n Fire (highly significant)\n\nFire can significantly impact on rock art sites, particularly when there is a build-up of native vegetation or weeds close to sites.\n\n Insect damage (highly significant)\n\nWasps and termites damage rock art by building nests and tunnels over it. While some management actions are undertaken to reduce this impact at some sites, damage from insects remains an issue for much of the rock art in the park.\n\n Weathering (highly significant)\n\nWater flowing over or seeping through the rocks is a common problem. Apart from the water’s dissolving action, salts deposited on the rock surface can cover some of the art.\n\n Number and inaccessibility of sites (highly significant)\n\nThe number of rock art sites and their remote and inaccessible nature makes management and monitoring of rock art very difficult.\n\n Feral animals (moderately significant)\n\nFeral animals (particularly pigs and buffalo) frequently take refuge in the shade of ground level shelters and damage rock art by rubbing on rock faces. This has been a significant cause of degradation of some rock art sites.\n\n Visitor impacts (of low significance)\n\nSome impacts from tourism are evident at rock art sites, such as dust accumulation on rock faces from roads, and vandalism has occurred at some sites.\n\n\n\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 5.1.1 Develop and undertake a rock art conservation programme to address issues impacting on the condition of priority rock art sites, focusing on:\n\n1. removal of vegetation contributing to the fire fuel load around priority rock art sites\n2. reduction in the number of pigs and buffalo in areas where they present a threat to priority rock art sites\n3. implementation of measures to minimise weathering and reduce insect damage\n4. development of conservation plans for rock art sites in visitor areas to help address potential visitor impacts\n5. continued surveillance of rock art sites where there is a high risk of vandalism by visitors\n6. research relating to conservation and protection of rock art.\n\n\n# 5.1.2 Develop and implement a programme to monitor the condition of priority rock art sites and the effectiveness of conservation measures (see also Section 7.1.11d).\n\n# 5.1.3 Assist Bininj/Mungguy to access and record rock art sites and provide opportunities for the intergenerational transfer of cultural knowledge associated with them.\n\n# 5.1.4 Continue to work with the AAPA to increase the registration of sacred and other cultural sites and document information about them.\n\n# 5.1.5 Maintain and update the park register of rock art sites, including information on their condition, conservation works and associated cultural knowledge.\n\n\nBininj/Mungguy cultural knowledge and practices\n\n#### Outcomes\n\n Bininj/Mungguy are supported in their endeavours to maintain, promote and teach the next generation about their culture\n\n#### Performance indicators\n\n Opportunities for Bininj/Mungguy to visit country provided to support the continuity of culture\n\n#### Background\n\nKakadu represents a continuing cultural tradition linked to the time of the earliest known occupation of the Australian continent. The different landscapes within the park have been occupied and actively managed by many generations of Bininj/Mungguy, and strong spiritual associations and interactions between Bininj/Mungguy and country continue today.\n\nThe tangible aspects of Bininj/Mungguy cultural heritage such as rock art sites, artefacts and other cultural sites are well known. However, Bininj/Mungguy cultural heritage also includes intangible aspects such as traditional knowledge about country and seasons, ancestral stories and beliefs, languages and cultural practices and rituals.\n\nTraditional knowledge of the Kakadu environment is a crucial component of Bininj/Mungguy life today and Kakadu’s cultural heritage. This knowledge is used to help keep land, plants, and animals healthy and strong as well as to undertake the right activities at the right time of year. This traditional knowledge is invaluable and a great asset for the management of the park.\n\n‘When we go to different places on our country, language and stories of those places come out. You tell stories as you travel to places, you don’t leave it til you get there.’\n\nTraditional owner\n\nBininj/Mungguy traditional cultural practices reflect culturally significant events, ideas and beliefs and include songs and stories, dances, ceremonies, body scarification, the use of particular dialects associated with regions, caring for country, and customary use of the land. It is important that these traditional practices are remembered and kept alive.\n\nAt least 12 different languages are thought to have been spoken throughout the Kakadu region prior to European settlement, and this helps to illustrate the great diversity and complexity of Bininj/Mungguy society. Languages are a vital component of cultural identity and it is important they remain strong.\n\nToday, Bininj/Mungguy continue to live, work and hunt on country and this assists them to maintain links to their culture and country and participate in management of the park. The park organises on-country camps with different clan groups, such as Namarrgon and Gunlom camps, to help support the continuation of culture.\n\nA cultural heritage information management system (CHIMS), developed during the life of the fifth plan, is used to store photos, oral histories and other cultural information for Bininj/Mungguy to access and use. An agreement negotiated with the National Archives of Australia in 2010 means it will assist with digitisation and stabilisation of all audio and video cultural information, and this material can also be stored on CHIMS when it is available. Policies and actions in Section 4 (Joint management) relating to recognition of Bininj/Mungguy cultural knowledge and skills and respect for Bininj/Mungguy cultural practices and protocols are also relevant to this section.\n\n\n\n\n#### Values and condition\n\nBininj/Mungguy culture:\n\n is representative of the oldest culture in the world, with continuous occupation over 50,000 years\n\n is one of great diversity and complexity and includes several languages\n\n provides a valuable source of traditional ecological knowledge. The ongoing, active management of the landscape through the use of fire has contributed to species diversity and provides an important example of people’s interaction with the environment\n\n continues today with Bininj/Mungguy living, working, hunting, fishing and collecting and using food and other cultural resources in the park.\n\n Bininj/Mungguy continue to live on country, maintaining cultural practices, but some Bininj/Mungguy are concerned that their culture is getting ‘weak’.\n\n‘Ours is a living culture and today we have two laws – Bininj and Balanda together. We must continue teaching Bininj way because some things are almost floating away. We’re running out of time ...’\n\nTraditional owner\n\nExisting threats to values\n\nLoss of traditional knowledge (highly significant)\n\nDuring the recent past, many Bininj/Mungguy who had important knowledge about country and culture have passed away. Bininj/Mungguy have expressed concern that much of this knowledge is being lost, with social changes having impacted on the transfer of knowledge to younger generations. This has been exacerbated by fewer people spending time on country learning about country and culture. In some parts of the park there are also limited opportunities to live on country which also contributes to loss of traditional knowledge.\n\n‘…so many little things are coming in – headphones, movies. Things are coming in and covering our traditional ways .... people know the names of the big fish but not the little fish.’\n\nJacob Nayinggul, Manilikar clan\n\nSocial issues (highly significant)\n\nThere are significant social issues facing Aboriginal people in Kakadu including employment, education and language difficulties. Alcohol and drug problems and health issues are also significant factors affecting the maintenance of cultural knowledge and practices. Parks Australia can support the maintenance of culture through the provision of resources and programmes; however, many factors that influence culture are outside the control of park management, including participation in cultural management programmes, and intergenerational transfer of sensitive cultural knowledge.\n\nBininj/Mungguy access to country (low significance)\n\nBininj/Mungguy access to or use of country is sometimes affected by tourism in visitor areas of the park, and this is managed through temporary closure of areas with timely advice to the tourism industry and the public.\n\n\n\n\nActions\n\n# 5.1.6 Implement, review and update the An-garregen (cultural heritage) Strategy for management of cultural values in the park.\n\n# 5.1.7 Support the maintenance of Bininj/Mungguy culture through continued:\n\n1. provision of cultural activities and programmes including on-country camps and bushwalks, a kids’ on-country programme, and women’s and men’s events\n2. provision of an oral history programme to collect knowledge and stories from Bininj/Mungguy, with involvement of young Bininj/Mungguy to help facilitate transfer of knowledge\n3. support of Bininj/Mungguy involvement in fieldwork related to cultural programmes\n4. support of Bininj/Mungguy staff to fulfil cultural responsibilities\n5. incorporation of Bininj/Mungguy cultural knowledge and skills in park natural and cultural heritage management programmes, particularly fire management programmes (see also Section 4: Joint management)\n6. provision of support and resources to facilitate Bininj/Mungguy involvement and leadership in these management programmes (see also Section 4: Joint management)\n7. recognition of Bininj/Mungguy cultural knowledge and skills as important components of park staff development (see also Section 4: Joint management)\n8. promote awareness of and respect for Bininj/Mungguy cultural protocols and practices (see also Section 4: Joint management).\n\n\n# 5.1.8 Encourage and support the use and preservation of Bininj/Mungguy languages through:\n\n1. support for language training for Bininj/Mungguy and park staff\n2. replacement of Balanda place names with Bininj/Mungguy place names on park signage, on maps and in visitor publications where appropriate\n3. collation of existing language resource materials and development of new resources in language for use by Bininj/Mungguy.\n\n\n# 5.1.9 Assist Bininj/Mungguy to manage cultural information and material through:\n\n1. maintenance of the Cultural Heritage Information Management System (CHIMS) to store cultural information\n2. provision of appropriate storage areas for Aboriginal cultural material in Kakadu\n3. development of storage, access and usage policies and protocols for cultural information and material held in the park\n4. provision of the Kakadu Research Guidelines to researchers collecting and using cultural information and material in the park\n5. provision of a Bininj/Mungguy-friendly space that allows Bininj/Mungguy to access to stored cultural information and material in a culturally appropriate way\n6. working with other agencies to further the protection of Bininj/Mungguy Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights\n7. supporting the efforts of Bininj/Mungguy to secure the return of Aboriginal cultural material that has been removed from Kakadu.\n\n\n# 5.1.10 Facilitate Bininj/Mungguy aspirations to live on country through:\n\n1. providing support in the outstation approval process\n2. liaising with relevant funding and service delivery agencies to assist in providing advice in the set-up and management of outstations (see also Section 8.1.7).\n\n\n# 5.1.11 Facilitate management of Bininj/Mungguy traditional use of plants and animals through:\n\n1. implementation of policies that help ensure only relevant Aboriginal people are hunting in the park (see Section 10.6: Traditional use of land and water)\n2. development and implementation of a strategy to promote sustainable customary harvest practices\n3. incorporation of knowledge gained from customary use into species and landscape monitoring programmes to determine the conservation status of resources used\n4. management of visitor access that may impact on traditional use.\n\n\n\n\n\nBininj/Mungguy cultural sites\n\n#### Outcome\n\n Priority cultural sites are protected from fire, weeds, feral animals and human impacts\n\n#### Performance indicator\n\n Impact of fire, weeds, feral animals and humans on priority cultural sites\n\n#### Background\n\nIn addition to rock art sites, there are several other kinds of sites and areas within the park that are important to Bininj/Mungguy and reflect and express their cultural beliefs and practices. They include areas that relate to the activities that took place during the creation era and the travels of Nayuhyunggi (Gundjeihmi language), the first people. They may also include occupation and ceremonial sites, and the walking routes that old people travelled as they moved through country.\n\nFor the Jawoyn people in the south of the park, Buladjang, or ‘Sickness Country’, is a particularly important area because the essence of Bula, a major figure associated with the creation era, is located within it. Sickness Country extends over 2,000 square kilometres and coincides with high concentrations of uranium, thorium, arsenic, mercury, fluorine and radon in the water and air, which are leached from rocks in the region. Jawoyn believe that if Bula is disturbed the results will be catastrophic for all.\n\n‘Some of these places are very powerful and dangerous. If they are disturbed bad things can happen.’\n\nTraditional owner\n\nMany sites contain physical evidence of the old people living and working in the area in the distant and recent past such as scatters of stone artefacts, shell middens, earth mounds, scarred trees, grinding grooves, quarries (including ochre quarries), burial sites, and stone and bone arrangements. Research indicates occupation of the region dating from around 50,000 to 60,000 years ago, and archaeological sites provide a record of cultural tradition and reflect how Bininj/Mungguy have managed the country over this time. An Australian National University research project being conducted in 2013–2014 is exploring landscape and cultural change on the South Alligator floodplain.\n\n‘The highest responsibility for Bininj is to look after these sites and it should go down from generation to generation.’\n\nTraditional owner\n\nUnder Bininj/Mungguy cultural practices, strict rules and protocols govern access and use of some sites, especially those considered dangerous. Restrictions vary between sites and may be based on a person’s social position and knowledge of ceremonies and rituals relevant to the place. Access to some sites is restricted in accordance with these practices, while access to Sickness Country is governed by the Gunlom Land Trust Sickness Country Protocols.\n\nA register of sites of special significance to Bininj/Mungguy has been established in consultation with Bininj/Mungguy, the AAPA and the Northern Land Council. The Land Rights Act and the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 (Sacred Sites Act) provide formal legal protection for sacred sites, defined as sites that are sacred to Aboriginals or otherwise of significance according to Aboriginal tradition. The Sacred Sites Act applies in relation to Kakadu except to the extent that it is inconsistent with the EPBC Act.\n\n#### Values and condition\n\nBininj/Mungguy cultural sites:\n\n represent a rich collection of sites that are imbued with strong spiritual associations including ceremonial sites, Aboriginal occupation sites, sacred sites, djang sites and traditional walking routes\n\n include a great number of places with spiritual associations relating to creator beings that are connected to the continuing practice of traditional beliefs and religious practices\n\n include some of the oldest known Aboriginal occupation sites in Australia\n\n present a highly significant record of human occupation of a landscape that is rarely matched anywhere in the world.\n\n The location and condition of many cultural sites is unknown. There has been damage to some recorded sites as a result of feral animals and visitor impacts (such as unauthorised entry).\n\n#### Existing threats to values\n\nLoss of traditional knowledge (highly significant)\n\nThere are concerns among Bininj/Mungguy that many of the stories and knowledge of cultural sites are being lost. A breakdown in the transfer of knowledge between generations is contributing to this loss.\n\nUnauthorised access (highly significant)\n\nThere are strong concerns among Bininj/Mungguy about unauthorised access to sacred sites. This is particularly the case for djang sites and Sickness Country, where there are concerns about bushwalkers and fishers accessing closed sites.\n\nFeral animals (highly significant)\n\nFeral animals can disturb and damage archaeological sites.\n\nWeeds (highly significant)\n\nWeeds and other vegetation growing around and up through cultural sites can have an impact. Additional actions addressing weed and feral animal management are covered in Section 5.3.\n\n#### Potential threats to values\n\nClimate change (highly significant)\n\nClimate change is likely to impact on cultural sites in coastal and lowland areas through rising sea levels and saltwater inundation.\n\n\n\n\nActions\n\n# 5.1.12 Assist Bininj/Mungguy to access cultural sites in the park, to record cultural knowledge associated with them, and provide opportunities to pass this knowledge on to younger generations.\n\n# 5.1.13 Maintain and update the register of Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites in the park, including information on their condition, conservation works and associated cultural knowledge.\n\n# 5.1.14 Continue to work closely with the AAPA in park planning processes to increase the protection and registration of sacred and other cultural sites, recording and documenting information about them.\n\n# 5.1.15 In consultation with the AAPA, develop and undertake a programme of activities to address concerns about unauthorised access to cultural sites, including:\n\n1. reviewing and improving park protocols on access to cultural sites and the information about them where necessary, and manage sites, including Sickness Country, according to the relevant protocols\n2. reviewing and updating visitor guidelines relating to protocols on access to cultural sites\n3. installation of signage where appropriate to indicate restricted access\n4. identification of cultural sites near or on approved or proposed bushwalking routes\n5. development and implementation of a compliance and enforcement strategy to support protection of cultural sites\n6. monitoring of cultural sites for unauthorised access (see also Section 9.2: Compliance and enforcement).\n\n\n# 5.1.16 Identify potential actions to minimise the impact of saltwater intrusion on priority cultural sites and implement them where feasible and cost-effective.\n\n# 5.1.17 Develop and undertake a programme to address issues impacting on the condition of priority cultural sites, focusing on reduction in numbers of pigs and buffalo and removal of weeds and other vegetation.\n\n# 5.1.18 Develop and implement a programme to monitor the condition of priority cultural sites and the effectiveness of conservation measures.\n\n\n\n\nHistoric sites\n\n#### Outcome\n\n Priority historic sites are managed to mitigate impacts from threatening processes\n\n#### Performance indicator\n\n A reduction in the overall impact that fire, plants, animals, insects and human activities can have on priority historic sites\n\n#### Background\n\nThe first documented sustained contact that Aboriginal people from the Alligator Rivers Region had with non-Aboriginal people was with Macassan seafarers between the 17th and 20th centuries. The Dutch also visited the northern coast of Australia in 1623, and in 1644 Abel Tasman mapped the northern opening of Van Diemen’s Gulf and was the first person to record European contact with Aboriginal people in the region. The next explorer, British navigator Phillip King, sailed up the South and East Alligator Rivers in 1818. The British later established the settlements of Fort Wellington in 1827 and Port Essington in 1938 on the Cobourg Peninsula. The early explorers Ludwig Leichhardt and John McKinlay passed through the Kakadu region in 1845 and 1866 respectively; however, it was only in the years following the establishment of a settlement at Port Darwin in 1869 that ongoing contact with Balanda began.\n\nThe history of the Kakadu region after the mid-1800s is characterised by small-scale ventures such as crocodile and buffalo shooting, logging, pastoralism, mining and prospecting and early tourism ventures, most of which were economically marginal. Many of these ventures involved cooperation between Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda, so historic sites often bring up strong feelings for Bininj/Mungguy about individuals and the past as they represent a way of life and use of country that has now gone.\n\nUranium mining has had a significant impact on Bininj/Mungguy within the Kakadu region. Activity was focused within the southern region of the park, with the last mining activity in the upper South Alligator Valley and the adjacent section of the Katherine River occurring in the 1950s. These mines ceased production in 1964. A proposal to develop the Ranger uranium deposit in 1975 resulted in the Ranger Uranium Environmental Inquiry (Fox et al. 1977) led by the Hon Russel Walter Fox AC QC. The final report provided a range of recommendations that led to granting of Aboriginal title and declaration of Stage 1 of Kakadu National Park. Uranium mining continues adjacent to the park in the northern region near Jabiru, providing some economic support to the area through employment opportunities and support for the retail and accommodation industry within Jabiru.\n\nAll of the industries carried out in the park have affected local Aboriginal people and have left a range of post-contact historic sites in the park, many of which are significant for both Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda. Several studies have been undertaken to document the significance of historic sites, and recommendations have been developed regarding future site management. The Australian International Council on Monuments and Sites Burra Charter for the conservation of heritage places forms the basis of the recommended approach for making decisions about heritage sites. Accordingly, cultural significance assessments and conservation plans have been prepared for some historic sites within the park.\n\n‘We need to record and share more of the Bininj and Balanda stories about mining and the buffalo and croc hunting days.’\n\nTraditional owner\n\nIn 2013, students from the Australian National University came to the park for a week-long intensive course: Physical Conservation of Buildings and Structures. This generated great interest in the park’s historic sites and may result in collaborative conservation projects in the future. The value of oral histories in providing an insight into the interactions between people and different perspectives on key historic events and themes was also recognised.\n\nOne historic site within the park, Munmalary Homestead, is a declared heritage place under the Northern Territory Heritage Act 2011 and is listed on the Northern Territory Heritage Register.\n\n#### Values and condition\n\nHistoric sites within the park:\n\n represent the park’s recent history, including early contact between Balanda and Bininj/Mungguy in the region\n\n comprise intertwined stories of Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda as they came to live and work together, and some sites represent a way of life and use of country that no longer exists\n\n represent the struggle of Bininj/Mungguy to retain control of their country and their resilience in the face of unprecedented threats to their culture\n\n are tangible examples of the types of activities that occurred in the recent history of the park and contribute to understanding its human occupation.\n\nTo date the majority of historic sites in the park have not been actively managed or maintained and are in poor condition. However, the location of most sites is known, baseline information on their condition and significance has been documented, and conservation plans detailing management priorities exist for some sites.\n\n#### Existing threats to values\n\nLack of knowledge and understanding of historic site values (highly significant)\n\nThere are often varying perceptions of the significance and value of historic sites among Bininj/Mungguy, park staff and other stakeholders.\n\nNatural weathering, fire and termites (highly significant)\n\nNatural weathering processes, fire and termites have damaged and degraded many of the historic sites within the park. Conservation work may include restricting access to some sites, maintaining protection from fire and working to stabilise existing structures. High costs are associated with implementing conservation work, such as stabilising the structural integrity of old infrastructure, and expertise in building conservation is not always available locally.\n\nLoss of knowledge and stories relating to historic sites (moderately significant)\n\nAs older people pass away, many stories about these sites are lost with them.\n\n#### Potential threats to values\n\nAsbestos removal (highly significant)\n\nMany historic sites contain asbestos products, making work health and safety and public safety important considerations. If not managed sensitively, programmes to remove these products can cause significant damage to the integrity of historic buildings. This potential threat will be responded to during the day-to-day management of the park and does not warrant specific control mechanisms within this plan. The presence of asbestos at historic sites also prevents sites from being opened to the public and reduces the ability to provide interpretation and education to visitors about Kakadu’s history.\n\n\n\n\nVandalism (highly significant)\n\nSome Bininj/Mungguy and people working in the tourism industry would like to see some of the historic sites appropriately promoted as places for visitors, but vandalism remains a potential threat to sites. This is an ongoing issue that will be responded to during the day-to-day management of the park and does not warrant specific control mechanisms within this plan.\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 5.1.19 Review existing documentation relating to historic sites and reassess the priorities for conservation, management, use and interpretation.\n\n# 5.1.20 Develop and implement conservation management plans for priority historic sites that identify:\n\n1. conservation works required such as stabilisation of structures and actions to protect historic sites from weathering, termites and fire\n2. workplace health and safety risks and risk management procedures\n3. appropriate future visitor access and use, signage and interpretation, and\n4. opportunities to promote the heritage significance of the sites.\n\n\n# 5.1.21 Maintain and update a register of historic sites and information about them, including their significance, condition and conservation works undertaken.\n\n# 5.1.22 Maintain a programme recording oral histories including those relating to historic sites.\n\n# 5.1.23 Monitor priority historic sites for unauthorised access.\n\n# 5.1.24 Identify historic sites to be managed as ruins and implement measures to help slow natural deterioration of the sites through agreed conservation plans.\n\n \n\n# 5.2 Looking after country\n\n## Natural values\n\nThe park is an internationally significant natural landscape (including landforms and biota of great antiquity) comprising outstanding representation of interconnected ecosystems whose extent, intactness and integrity provides for a distinctive and rich biodiversity including viable populations of threatened, endemic and culturally significant species\n\n \n\n \n\n## Objective\n\nMaintain the condition of the park’s natural values, and support the recovery of threatened species\n\n \n\n \n\nAlthough much of Kakadu’s outstanding value is in its vast and relatively undisturbed continuous natural environment, within the park there are four broad landscapes, each with distinct values, threats and management priorities. Accordingly, this section of the plan describes Kakadu’s four main landscape components: the lowland woodlands and forest, occupying more than 75 per cent of the park; the stone country; floodplains (freshwater and saltwater country); and rainforest (Figure 4). However, it is important not to lose sight of the value of the park as one large and integrated environment.\n\nWithin these broad landscapes, there is a great diversity of native plants and animals including important populations of migratory species (Appendix D: EPBC-listed migratory species) and many threatened species (Appendix J: Species of conservation concern). Many species found within each of these landscapes also have broadly similar management considerations and hence are effectively considered within this landscape approach.\n\nUnder the EPBC Act, the Minister may make or adopt recovery plans for threatened species and threatened ecological communities listed under the Act, and may decide to have a threat abatement plan for a listed key threatening process under the Act. As a Commonwealth agency for the purposes of the Act the Director is required not to take an action that would contravene one of these plans. At the time of preparing this plan there were only a small number of documented recovery plans relevant to Kakadu’s threatened species. It is anticipated that additional recovery plans will be developed during the life of this plan.\n\nFigure 9 illustrates the line of sight for this section of the plan.\n\n\n\n\nFigure 9: Line of sight for Section 5.2: Looking after country\n\n### Diagram showing the Line of sight for Section 5.2: Looking after country\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n## Overarching principles for managing natural values\n\nWhen managing the natural values, the following overarching principles will apply:\n\n Bininj/Mungguy will continue to be encouraged and supported to guide and participate in the development, implementation and review of natural heritage management programmes (Section 4: Joint management)\n\n Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda knowledge of and priorities related to the management of native plants and animals and their habitats will be incorporated into management programmes (Section 4: Joint management)\n\n A regional approach will be taken to managing natural values by liaising and collaborating with neighbours, government agencies and other stakeholders (Section 9.7: Neighbours, stakeholders and partnerships)\n\n Management of natural values will be considered and planned at a landscape level, but not exclude finer scale approaches as needed, to optimise management outcomes.\n\n \n\n\n\n\nStone country – Kun-warddewardde\n\n#### Outcome\n\n The abundance of significant species is increased (where possible and appropriate) or maintained.\n\n#### Performance indicator\n\n Abundance of significant species\n\n#### Background\n\n‘The stone country is important, it’s where all the rivers start, it’s where all the water comes from, it’s where everything comes from… it’s all connected.’\n\nJeffrey Lee, Djok clan\n\nThe stone country of Kakadu makes up the western edge of the Arnhem Land Plateau, an extensive, rugged and ancient sandstone formation markedly distinct in geology and biodiversity from the surrounding lowlands. It comprises some of the oldest exposed rocks in the world and a spectacular escarpment occurs along its western edge and contributes to its grandeur. Some 140 million years ago, when much of Kakadu is believed to have been under a shallow sea, the plateau formed a flat land above the sea and the prominent escarpment wall formed sea cliffs along the shoreline.\n\nBecause of its age and its extraordinary topographic complexity, the stone country has long served as a refuge area for biodiversity. It has sheltered plant and animal species from changes in climate and sea level, and allowed for the persistence of many plant and animal species of extremely ancient lineages, such as the biogeographic relict northern brown pine Podocarpus grayae. The stone country has also provided refuge for species that cope poorly with fire. This capacity to provide refugia will become more important under changing climatic conditions.\n\nDue to its large size and isolation from similar environments, the stone country also supports many endemic species (see figures 10 and 11). The rugged topography limits the capacity of some species, such as trigger plants Stylidium sp., to disperse easily, and there is a particularly high rate of endemism in this region of the park due to the isolation and protection that the terrain of the stone country provides. Consequently, the stone country is one of Australia’s most important sites for the conservation of endemic species, and appropriate management is essential for their survival.\n\nThe stone country extends over approximately 25 per cent of the park area and contains sheer escarpments, deep narrow gorges, spectacular waterfalls, and the headwaters of some of the largest river systems in the Northern Territory. While it varies from vertical cliffs in the Jim Jim Falls area to stepped cliffs and isolated outliers in the north, including Ubirr and Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), the highest point is only about 400 metres above sea level. Bininj/Mungguy have a long history of camping in stone country, painting art in rock shelters, burning country and collecting plants and animals for food and medicinal purposes.\n\n\n\n\nFigure 10: Endemic plants in the Northern Territory\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFigure 11: Endemic vertebrates in the Northern Territory\n\n \n\n\nParts of the stone country are harsh, with exposed rock, little or no soil, and soils with low fertility. As a result, the plants and animals that live in this habitat have many adaptations to assist survival in such conditions. The stone country also provides an extraordinary diversity of landscapes and microclimates, at scales ranging from the shelter offered by boulders and cave systems to the steep-sided gorges and waterfalls that provide specialised environments for many moisture-loving plants, and in which tall rainforest has developed. Water seeping from rock walls and spreading shady trees provide an important micro-environment for plants and animals. Many animals rely on these areas for refuge during the drier months and, over a longer history, during periods of otherwise adverse climate. These conditions have all led to the stone country being an extremely important area for plant and animal endemism and diversity.\n\nValues and condition\n\nThe stone country:\n\n is extremely rich in endemic (restricted) plants and animals, and at least 160 plant species occur nowhere else in the world. Endemic animals include three birds, five mammals (including the black wallaroo, Barrk) and 12 reptiles (including one of Australia’s largest snakes, the Oenpelli python, Nawaran)\n\n comprises a high diversity of species, and some remarkable changes in species composition over very small areas\n\n contains at least 30 threatened species (10 plants and 20 animals – see Appendix J), including some with only a limited distribution\n\n has provided habitat for a diverse range of plants and animals secure from fire and changes in climate for millions of years\n\n contains a large proportion (22.5 per cent) of the nationally endangered Arnhem Plateau Sandstone Shrubland Complex ecological community (see Figure 4)\n\n is the catchment for the major river systems in the park (and some of the largest river systems in the Northern Territory), feeding the lowlands and floodplains\n\n is a spectacular and beautiful example of geomorphology that shows examples of important periods of change during the earth’s formation.\n\nIn broad terms, the stone country is in good to near-pristine condition by most standards, with little development and few weeds. However, many elements of the stone country are in decline. Notably this includes the endangered Arnhem Plateau Sandstone Shrubland Complex community and more than 30 threatened species. Long-term monitoring data indicate that populations of many of these species are continuing to decline. Similar trends are evident for other significant stone country species (keystone species) not yet recognised as threatened, such as Allosyncarpia (Anbinik) and Callitris (Anlarr). There is a significant lack of knowledge about many stone country species, including their condition.\n\nExisting threats to values\n\nFire (highly significant)\n\nFrequent, extensive and high-intensity fires are the most significant threat to the stone country environment. While plants and animals in the stone country have evolved with some fire, many species are vulnerable to frequent and intense fires. A stone country fire management programme has been implemented in the park since 2006, and this has been successful in reducing the extent and intensity of fires. However, effective fire management over this remote, rugged and generally inaccessible region remains challenging and expensive.\n\n\nFeral animals:\n\n Feral cat (highly significant)\n\nFeral cats are thought to be associated with reductions in native animals, particularly reptiles, birds and ground-dwelling mammals such as the Arnhem rock-rat, but more information is required to understand the population and impacts of feral cats. Actions relating to feral cat management are covered in Section 5.3 (Managing park-wide threats affecting values).\n\n Cane toad (highly significant)\n\nSome native species in the stone country have declined substantially following colonisation by the cane toad, in particular goannas and the northern quoll, which have suffered local extinctions in some areas. Impacts of toads on the stone country’s endemic invertebrate fauna are not known. This threat cannot realistically be humanly controlled and will be monitored to enable an adaptive response to possible impacts.\n\n Knowledge gaps (moderately significant)\n\nIt is highly likely that the stone country harbours many species not yet described. This is so particularly for invertebrates, but is also the case for plants and vertebrates. Many ‘undiscovered’ invertebrate groups are likely to be of phylogenetic significance (i.e. representing very old lineages). Basic information about the population of many stone country species and the impact of current fire regimes and other potential threats is not available.\n\nWeeds (of low significance)\n\nThe incidence of weeds in the stone country is generally low; however, incursions of introduced pasture grasses, such as gamba grass and mission grass, have the potential to exacerbate the impact of fire on stone country flora and fauna, particularly under increasingly warmer conditions. Actions relating to weed management are covered in Section 5.3 (Managing park-wide threats affecting values).\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 5.2.1 Manage fire in the stone country in accordance with the Policies and Actions in Sections 5.3.17 to 5.3.26 to reduce the impact on plants, animals and habitats, including protection of rainforest patches.\n\n# 5.2.2 Manage native plants and animals in the stone country through:\n\n1. development and implementation of a park strategy for the conservation of threatened species and threatened ecological communities, including, as appropriate, actions in recovery plans for relevant species\n2. identification of other significant species (e.g. endemic species, key stone species, indicator species and culturally significant species) and implementation of specific management prescriptions for these species\n3. conducting survey and monitoring programmes for significant species.\n\n\n\nFloodplains (freshwater country and saltwater country) – An-kabohkabo dja kurrula\n\n#### Outcome\n\n The abundance of significant species is increased (where possible and appropriate) or maintained\n\n#### Performance indicator\n\n Abundance of significant species\n\n#### Background\n\n‘There are places where you can find everything. All resources are there like a supermarket.’\n\nTraditional owner\n\nWetland systems infiltrate and connect all Kakadu landscapes, and Kakadu is particularly notable in encompassing almost the entire catchment and extent of some of the largest and most diverse river systems in northern Australia.\n\nKakadu’s wetland environments begin in seepages, springs and small rock pools in the stone country. These headwater systems support a diverse range of endemic aquatic invertebrates, many with extremely restricted ranges. The springs and seepages may also support distinctive rainforest and perched swampland environments. From the stone country plateau to the lowlands, many of the river systems form spectacular waterfall systems as they pass over the sandstone escarpment. Some of these waterfall systems provide habitat to specialised plants, such as the threatened fern Cephalomenes obscurum.\n\nThe floodplains of the Wildman and the East, South and West Alligator rivers and seasonal creeks are vast and extend in almost unbroken tracts to the coast. They are reservoirs for floodwaters during the wet season, when the land is inundated by monsoonal rains. Rivers beginning in the stone country carry wet season floodwaters with nutrients and sand and silt eroded from rock structures to the floodplains each year. This process has been happening for thousands of years and continues today, making the floodplains and wetlands the most productive of Kakadu’s habitats. The vegetation along creek and river channels is composed mainly of paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) and water pandanus (Pandanus aquaticus). This is an area that was and still is used by Aboriginal people.\n\nThe freshwater floodplain environments, composed mainly of aquatic plants such as sedges, grasses and waterlilies, may be under water for many months, and during this time they can support the breeding activity of crocodiles and many waterbirds such as magpie geese. As the floodplains start to dry, crocodiles and vast numbers of waterbirds (sometimes many millions) seek refuge around remaining wetlands such as Yellow Water. Large numbers of migratory shorebirds also occur seasonally in parts of the floodplain. The great diversity of wetland habitats and the abundance of wildlife they support make Kakadu’s floodplains of international significance and are the reason the park is listed as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The Ramsar Information Sheet (DSEWPaC 2011) provides more detail on Kakadu as a Ramsar site.\n\n\n\n\nThe coastal areas of the park are dominated by salt and mudflats and mostly lined with mangroves, which provide important breeding and nursery areas for a variety of fish including barramundi. The northern boundary of the park follows the low water mark of the 120 kilometre stretch of coastline that separates the park from the shallow waters of the Van Diemen Gulf. Gardangal (Field Island) and Djidbordu (Barron Island) lie near the mouth of the South Alligator River and are included within the park. Field Island has a small beach which regularly supports nesting flatback turtles and is a key site for an annual monitoring programme for this threatened species, and 20 years of survey data is now available for both flatback turtles and saltwater crocodiles.\n\nMarine and riverine environments provide important habitat for a diversity of sedentary and migratory species, many of which are listed under the EPBC Act and international conservation agreements. These include five species of marine turtles, dugong and shorebirds. The park also provides key habitat for one critically endangered and one endangered species of river shark, two vulnerable sawfish species and two inshore dolphin species.\n\nKakadu wetlands and coastal and marine areas are of great importance to Bininj/Mungguy and numerous sites of significance are located within and adjacent to the park. They provide a vast supply of traditional foods, or bush tucker, such as magpie goose, fish, turtles, and lotus lily; traditional medicines; and wood and fibre for traditional weapons, utensils and weaving. Bininj/Mungguy have a long history of managing the floodplains, particularly through fire management, and customary harvest continues today.\n\nWaldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head) is the only coastal section of the park readily accessible by land during the dry season and is the focus for a number of recreational activities including boating, fishing and coastal camping. This area is characterised by unpredictable weather, large tides, shifting sandbanks and mudflats, and potentially dangerous wildlife such as crocodiles, stingrays, and box jellyfish. A number of incidents involving boats and vehicles in the Waldak Irrmbal area have required emergency assistance from park staff.\n\nDuring the last 10 years, there has been a significant increase in recreational boating and fishing activity along the Kakadu coastline. Fishing activity is particularly high during neap tides at Waldak Irrmbal and Gardangal and in neighbouring waters. The West Alligator River and tributaries north of the Kakadu Highway are closed to boating and fishing for the purpose of maintaining a river system free of visitor impacts and protecting fish populations at the headwaters. It is the only river system in the Top End entirely protected from recreational fishing and boating. As a river system free of visitor impacts, the West Alligator River serves as an important refuge for wildlife and as a significant site for scientific research.\n\nCommercial fishing targeting barramundi, salmon and mud crabs occurred within the park until 1989. Commercial fishing has not been allowed in the park since that time. At the time of preparing this plan, six commercial fishing operations were working along the Kakadu coastline, with at least one operation working the area full time during the commercial barramundi season.\n\nA decision by the Northern Territory Government in February 2013 to close the area between Kakadu and the Finniss River to all commercial fishing has reduced the area available for the commercial harvest of barramundi. A proposed closure of waters near Darwin to recreational fishing may place more pressure on Kakadu coastal areas and infrastructure by recreational fishers and fishing tour operators. Incidents of illegal fishing occur in the park. Fishing in marine and coastal areas will be managed in accordance with Sections 10.7 (Recreational activities) and 10.10 (Commercial fishing) of this plan.\n\n\n\n\nValues and condition\n\nKakadu’s freshwater and saltwater country:\n\n contains near-pristine rivers and creeks, connected from their source in the stone country to the coast\n\n supports a great diversity of habitats including springs and perched swamps, large rivers, seasonally flooded freshwater floodplains and wetlands and tidally influenced mudflats and mangroves\n\n provides important habitat and refuge for vast numbers of waterbird species, including records of more than two million Magpie Geese and ducks, and significant numbers of other species such as egrets, ibis, brolga and migratory shorebirds\n\n provides important habitat for 27 threatened species, including internationally threatened sawfishes, river sharks, marine turtles and dugong, and those with a restricted range such as the yellow chat (Alligator River subspecies) and the plains death adder\n\n illustrates a highly dynamic and productive ecological system over multiple scales (seasonal to millennia)\n\n supports intact coastal vegetation, namely mangroves, and largely undisturbed islands, of which there are relatively few protected in the conservation network in the Northern Territory\n\n represents a long-standing cultural interaction with the landscape through fire management and is culturally significant as a source of food\n\n supports high freshwater and estuarine fish and aquatic invertebrate diversity;\n\n supports significant populations of saltwater (Crocodylus porosus) and freshwater (Crocodylus johnstoni) crocodiles and a population of the pig-nosed turtle.\n\nThe condition of wetland areas in the park varies, but is generally very good compared with other wetlands globally. However, large areas of floodplain are being significantly impacted by weeds, and wetlands and springs in the stone country are being degraded by pigs and buffaloes. Popular visitor sites in coastal areas have also experienced some localised degradation associated with unregulated use.\n\nMarine and riverine environments within the park potentially have the best-protected populations of threatened sawfishes and river sharks, but there are a number of threats operating outside the park. Bininj/Mungguy have concerns about the declining population of some bush tucker species, such as turtles and goanna.\n\nExisting threats to values\n\nWeeds (highly significant)\n\nWeeds such as Mimosa pigra, Salvinia molesta and the introduced pasture species para grass (Bracharia mutica) and olive hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis) pose a substantial and ongoing threat to floodplain environments in the park. The floodplain areas are extensive and access can be difficult, making management costly and future eradication unlikely.\n\n\n\n\nFeral animals:\n\n Pig and buffalo (highly significant)\n\nThere is localised impact from buffalo and pigs on some spring areas in the stone country and extensive impact in floodplain areas. Pigs predate on several wetland dependent species including frogs and turtles. Bininj/Mungguy are concerned about the decline in numbers of turtles, which may be related to the presence of pigs. Pigs target Eleocharis bulbs which are a major food source for magpie geese. The spread of weeds such as mimosa and olive hymenachne by pigs and buffalo through foraging activities is of major concern.\n\n Cane toad (highly significant)\n\nCane toads have impacted significantly on many species in wetland areas, including goannas, large dragons and elapid snakes. This threat cannot realistically be humanly controlled and will be monitored to enable an adaptive response to possible impacts.\n\n Feral cat (highly significant\n\nWhile the extent of impact of cats on floodplain fauna is not fully known, it is clear they are contributing to the decline of some species. Actions addressing feral cat management are covered in Section 5.3 (Managing park-wide threats affecting values).\n\nClimate change (highly significant)\n\nSea-level rise is expected to result in the replacement of many freshwater wetlands with saline wetlands and will potentially have a major effect on floodplain values. Historic disturbance to natural levees by buffalo allowed entry of salt water into some freshwater areas and impacted on vegetation communities. Artificial dams and levees were built in some places to replace and stabilise damaged levees but have not been maintained and there are limited other options to minimise saltwater intrusion in the park. More extreme weather events associated with climate change are also likely to impact on coastal and riverine areas in Kakadu.\n\nFire (moderately significant)\n\nIn the absence of continued traditional burning practices over generations, extensive areas that were once identifiable as open Aboriginal occupation sites are now obscured by native vegetation, increasing fuel loads and changing the landscape. Traditional fire management of the floodplains saw areas burnt periodically to control the density of aquatic grasses, thereby increasing the extent of open water (favoured by many wetland animals) and of some plant species (such as water chestnut and wild rice) that provide important resources for many animal species, including magpie geese. Introduced pasture species that have extended across the landscape have also increased fuel loads and impacted on wetland fire regimes.\n\nIllegal commercial fishing (moderately significant) and recreational fishing (low significance)\n\nIllegal commercial fishing, and to a lesser extent recreational fishing, has potentially had an impact on dolphins and on threatened species such as sawfish and river sharks. These species are highly vulnerable to gillnet fishing (from commercial fishers operating outside the park or illegally in river mouths of the park). There have been a number of incidents involving commercial fishing operators illegally netting within the park. Actions addressing compliance issues are covered in Section 9.2 (Compliance and enforcement).\n\nVisitor impacts (low significance)\n\nThere are localised impacts from unregulated use in high-use coastal visitor areas (Waldak Irrmbal), including overcrowding at camping areas, off-road driving and rubbish. Actions addressing visitor impacts are covered in Section 5.3 (Managing park-wide threats affecting values).\n\n\n\n\nUnauthorised access (low significance)\n\nRegular monitoring and surveillance by park staff is difficult due to the remoteness of the coastal area and there may be significant time delays in responding to incidents. Weeds and fire are often spread by people accessing parts of the park without authorisation. Actions addressing compliance issues are covered in Section 9.2 (Compliance and enforcement).\n\nDevelopment impacts outside the park (highly significant)\n\nSome species that use coastal waters and areas are migratory and also depend on land and waters outside the park where they may be subject to multiple threats such as habitat loss or degradation. These impacts are largely beyond park control.\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 5.2.3 Manage weeds on the floodplains, prioritising control of ecosystem-transforming weeds (including para grass and olive hymenachne) in priority areas and continued eradication of mimosa.\n\n# 5.2.4 Manage feral animals on the floodplains to reduce the impact of pigs and buffalo in priority areas.\n\n# 5.2.5 Manage fire on the floodplains in accordance with the Policies and Actions in Sections 5.3.17 to 5.3.26 to:\n\n1. replicate the traditional floodplain burning regime\n2. reduce cover of Hymenachne, para grass and other floodplain weed species and promote Eleocharis and other native wetland plant species.\n\n\n# 5.2.6 Identify actions to limit the impact of saltwater intrusion in priority areas and implement them where practical and cost-effective.\n\n# 5.2.7 Manage native plants and animals in the floodplains, rivers and coastal environments through:\n\n1. development and implementation of a park strategy for the conservation of threatened species and threatened ecological communities, including, as appropriate, actions in recovery plans for relevant species\n2. identification of other significant species (e.g. culturally significant species) and implementation of specific management prescriptions for these species\n3. conducting survey and monitoring programmes for significant species.\n\n\n# 5.2.8 Take a lead role in liaising and cooperating with the Northern Territory Government and other relevant stakeholders, including relevant traditional owners, regarding the management of access to marine areas of the park and improved management and protection of adjacent coastal and marine environments.\n\n# 5.2.9 Continue work mapping and defining the northern boundary of the park.\n\n\n\n\nThe lowlands – Kukarnhkarndan\n\n#### Outcome\n\n The abundance of significant species is increased (where possible and appropriate) or maintained\n\n#### Performance indicator\n\n Abundance of significant species\n\n#### Background\n\n‘In the woodlands there are many uses for us, for instance gathering bark for shelters from the stringy-bark trees and also looking for young hollow trees to make didgeridoo. And there are many foods and meat to gather as well. The woodlands are important to gukburlerri from many years ago and from today.’\n\nYvonne and Nida Gangali, Mirarr/Gundjeihmi clan\n\nLowland plains stretch over much of the Top End and are the most obvious and widespread landscape in Kakadu, making up over 70 per cent of the park. This gently undulating landscape typically supports eucalypt woodlands and open forests with an understorey of shrubs and tall grasses. Darwin stringybark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta) and Darwin woollybutt (Eucalyptus miniata) are the main trees in the lowlands; they dominate some woodland communities and occur in varying proportions throughout most other woodlands and forests.\n\nWhere the woodlands form a riparian fringe to adjoining wetlands a special habitat dominated by Ironwood (Erythrophleum chlorostachys) and Scribbly Gum (or Snappy Gum, Eucalyptus racemosa) was particularly used for wet season camping by Aboriginal people.\n\nThe lowlands adjoining the stone country escarpment are often accessed by stone country bird and mammal species e.g. Chestnut-quilled rock pigeon Petrophassa rufipennis, and macropods for feeding forays.\n\nWoodlands typically grow on sandy or lateritic soils, often shallow and gravelly; their trees are low and widely spaced and often lose their leaves in the dry season. The forests tend to grow on deeper soils and have year-round ground moisture available to them, with taller trees which grow closer together. The lowlands are heavily influenced by seasonal factors. The wet season is a period of growth, when plants make the most of the abundant water. The dry season is a more stressful time, and the plants have adapted to cope with this long waterless period.\n\nLowland woodlands can change significantly within short distances; this is determined by a number of factors such as soil structure, slope and length of flooding during the wet season. The widespread and variable nature of the lowlands, plus its vast expanse, has contributed to making it the richest in plant and animal species of the park landscapes, although (in contrast to the stone country) most species also occur widely beyond Kakadu.\n\n\n\n\nValues and condition\n\nThe lowlands within Kakadu:\n\n are the dominant ecological fabric of the park and the one that connects all the other landscapes\n\n are largely intact and represent the largest savanna protected within a reserve in the world\n\n comprise a great diversity of species, with the majority of Kakadu’s species existing in this landscape\n\n are the primary habitat for 20 threatened species, particularly mammals\n\n are the primary habitat for many culturally significant species such as billy goat plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) and other plants and animals collected for food and materials\n\n are a nationally significant carbon store.\n\nCompared with other savanna lowlands around the world, the Kakadu lowlands are largely intact but their condition is declining: the extent and impact of weeds, particularly ecosystem transforming grasses, is increasing; large and frequent fires are leading to simplification of the woodland structure; feral animals are impacting on some environments and species; and populations of some threatened species, particularly mammals, are falling rapidly.\n\nExisting threats to values\n\nFire (highly significant)\n\nLarge, hot and frequent fires remain a significant issue in the lowlands, in particular for the maintenance of habitats favoured by some currently declining animal species. The numerous unplanned and unauthorised fires that are lit along major roads and in the park each year by people travelling through and using the park is a major issue.\n\nFeral animals:\n\n Cats (highly significant)\n\nWhile the extent of impact from cats on the lowlands fauna is not fully known, it is clear they are contributing to the decline of many species, especially small mammals. No fully effective control programme has been demonstrated for feral cats in this environment and management options remain limited.\n\n Cane toads (highly significant)\n\nCane toads have had a significant impact on many species in the lowlands, including quolls, goannas, large dragons and elapid snakes. This threat cannot realistically be humanly controlled and will be monitored to enable an adaptive response to possible impacts.\n\n Feral herbivores (highly significant)\n\nFeral herbivores such as buffalo, pigs, cattle, horses and donkeys are abundant in neighbouring areas and are increasing in lowland areas of the park. In the lowlands they degrade habitat and spread weeds, and populations will quickly build up if they are not continually controlled.\n\n Dogs, invasive ants, feral bees (low significance)\n\nFeral dogs interbreed with dingoes. They place increased pressure on native animals and also cause safety issues around living areas. Introduced ants and European bees are capable of displacing other invertebrates and alter food availability and habitat for native animals.\n\n\n\n\nKnowledge gaps (moderately significant)\n\nThere is significant uncertainty surrounding the cause of decline of many species in the lowlands and the interactions of different threats. In particular, research on the cause of small mammal decline remains inconclusive and it is therefore difficult to develop management solutions with confidence of success. Actions addressing research and knowledge management are covered in Section 7 (Research and knowledge management).\n\nPotential threats to values\n\nWeeds (highly significant)\n\nHighly invasive African pasture grasses such as gamba grass represent a major potential threat to the lowlands. Gamba grass has a higher biomass and cures later in the dry season than native grasses; it causes dramatic increases in the intensity of fires. Climate change related temperature increases are likely to exacerbate these impacts. The great extent of the lowlands makes weed management challenging and resource intensive.\n\nActions\n\n# 5.2.10 Manage fire in the lowlands in accordance with the Policies and Actions in Sections 5.3.17 to 5.3.26 to reduce impact on plants, animals and habitats.\n\n# 5.2.11 Manage weeds in the lowlands prioritising control of the spread of gamba grass.\n\n# 5.2.12 Manage feral animals in the lowlands through:\n\n# (a) development of cost-effective strategies for management of feral cats in priority areas\n\n# (b) management of pigs, horses, donkeys and buffalo, particularly in areas of high density.\n\n# 5.2.13 Manage native plants and animals in the lowlands through:\n\n1. development and implementation of a park strategy for the conservation of threatened species and threatened ecological communities, including actions in recovery plans for relevant species\n2. identification of other significant species (e.g. indicator and culturally significant species) and implementation of specific management prescriptions for these species\n3. conducting survey and monitoring programmes to address knowledge gaps for significant species.\n\n\n\n\n\nRainforest – An-ngarre\n\n#### Outcomes\n\n The abundance of significant species is increased (where possible and appropriate) or maintained\n\n The extent of rainforest is maintained\n\n#### Performance indicators\n\n Abundance of significant species\n\n Area of rainforest\n\n#### Background\n\n‘We’ve got to stop late fires – protect anbinik.’\n\nTraditional owner\n\n \n\nRainforest in Kakadu occurs in small, isolated patches scattered throughout the park, taking up less than three per cent of the park area, it is distinct from the surrounding savannah woodland and floodplain vegetation. Depending on the availability of water, rainforest may be wet, spring-fed or dry forest. It is structurally diverse, ranging from tall forests over 30 metres in height in the stone country to deciduous thickets often only two or three metres in height in coastal areas.\n\nThe stone country supports a high proportion of Kakadu’s rainforest, where it occurs scattered across the gorges and cliffs and often dominated by the large evergreen tree Allosyncarpia ternata (Anbinik). This tree has persisted since ancient times and is a primitive relative of our present-day eucalypts. It is found only in Kakadu’s stone country and the Arnhem Land Plateau, where it grows to become the largest tree in those areas. Anbinik forms shady canopies and provides cool refuge for a range of animals. The rugged topography in the stone country has provided micro-environments and areas of refuge from climate change and other impacts, and this has contributed to the high diversity of species found in rainforest there.\n\nCoastal rainforest in Kakadu is relatively drought tolerant and has a patchy distribution around moist places along the coast and river banks and on the margins of floodplains. It comprises a mix of plants from the distant past when northern Australia had a wetter climate and rainforests were widespread, and more recent arrivals from Indo-Malay rainforests during drier periods when sea levels were much lower than today.\n\nRainforests provide a cool and shady refuge for people and wildlife, and provide many food and other resources of value to Bininj/Mungguy, including yams and fruits such as native plums. Fruit-eating birds and flying foxes play a vital role in linking plants in these isolated pockets by dispersing pollen and seeds.\n\n\n\n\nValues and condition\n\nRainforest within Kakadu:\n\n offers a marked ecosystem contrast to Kakadu’s spatially dominant landscape, the lowland woodlands, and contributes a set of very different species to the overall biota\n\n comprises a high diversity of species, including many endemic, restricted, disjunct and specialised species, some from the distant past (e.g. Allosyncarpia ternata)\n\n is the primary habitat for four threatened species including the orchid Dienia montana (formerly Malaxis latifolia) and many culturally significant species such as yams\n\n provides a cool and shady refuge for animals during the heat of the late dry season and a source of significant fruit resources for animals\n\n demonstrates interesting ecological processes and evolutionary history.\n\nThe condition of rainforest environments is variable across the park. They are expanding in some lowland areas but declining in other areas because of fire. Some degradation is occurring (e.g. disturbed understorey and erosion on rainforest margins) as a result of fire, pigs and buffalo, and encroaching grassy weeds such as African grasses.\n\nExisting threats to values\n\nFeral animals (highly significant)\n\nBuffalo and pigs affect recruitment of rainforest species, particularly those associated with springs. The decline in yams in the park is likely to due to pig activity.\n\nFire (highly significant)\n\nRainforest is particularly sensitive to fire and comprises many species intolerant of fire. The small and remote nature of rainforest patches in the park also makes management of them difficult and costly.\n\nKnowledge gaps (moderately significant)\n\nThe inventory of rainforest patches in the park is substantial but not comprehensive, and the distribution of some threatened species among these patches is poorly known, making management difficult. Surveys and monitoring are expensive but knowledge gaps need to be addressed so that priority areas can be identified and managed. Actions addressing research and knowledge management are covered in Section 7 (Research and knowledge management).\n\nWeeds (low significance, potentially increasing)\n\nHyptis suaveolens favours disturbed areas and is a major weed in some rainforest patches in the park. Incursions of grassy weeds, particularly those in floodplain areas such as para grass, are increasing the prevalence and intensity of fire on rainforest margins and reducing their viability.\n\nPotential threats to values\n\nMyrtle rust (highly significant)\n\nMyrtle rust has the potential to have a devastating impact on the Myrtaceae family of plants in Australia and the park should it spread here. Myrtaceae in humid environments such as rainforest will be most susceptible, especially those at springs and in riparian areas. Actions addressing plant pathogens are covered in Section 5.3 (Managing park-wide threats affecting values).\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 5.2.14 Manage feral animals in and around priority rainforest patches, prioritising a reduction in the impact of pigs and buffalo.\n\n# 5.2.15 Manage fire in rainforest patches in accordance with the Policies and Actions in Sections 5.3.17 to 5.3.26 to reduce the impact and threat to priority patches.\n\n# 5.2.16 Manage weeds in and adjacent to priority rainforest patches, prioritising control of species that are contributing to increased intensity of fire on rainforest margins (e.g. para grass).\n\n# 5.2.17 Manage native plants and animals in rainforest environments through:\n\n1. development and implementation of a park strategy for the conservation of threatened species and threatened ecological communities, including, as appropriate, actions in recovery plans for relevant species\n2. identification of other significant species (e.g. indicator and culturally significant species) and implementation of specific management prescriptions for these species\n3. conducting survey and monitoring programmes for significant species.\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n# 5.3 Managing park-wide threats affecting values\n\n \n\nObjective\n\nMaintain the condition of the park’s internationally significant natural and cultural values\n\n \n\nThe park’s internationally significant natural and cultural values are being affected, mostly detrimentally, by a range of potentially landscape-transforming factors including weeds, feral animals, fire, extreme weather events and climate change. These factors, excluding extreme weather and climate change to some degree, are within the capability of park management to influence. The major objective of this plan is to minimise the impact on the park’s values of those factors over which the park has some control, and thereby maintain (and enhance) the condition and integrity of the values through well-directed and well-implemented management actions. Figure 12 illustrates the line of sight for this section of the plan.\n\nKakadu is a very large park and large parts of it are remote and hard to access, making management expensive and difficult to implement. Management actions for some threats may not be feasible or cost-effective, and there are also information gaps and uncertainty about the impact of other potential threats. Management actions need to be prioritised based on an assessment of the risks of threats to the park’s values (see Section 9.10: Implementing and evaluating the plan).\n\nWhile each of the four major landscapes within the park has distinct values, the relative impacts of the threats also vary with the different landscapes. Weeds, for example, are a much greater issue on the floodplains than in the stone country, where large, hot fires are the main threat. Management of the different threats needs to be prioritised differently in the different landscapes and should focus on the areas of high value, which may be at the expense of other areas. In the following sections significant threats have been identified by park management and external experts to highlight some of the priorities for management response. Each of the issues addressed in this section cannot be treated in isolation, as they can have a significant bearing on the behaviour and impact of other threats.\n\nSince 2007, to help share information and ensure that park management is based on the best available evidence, Parks Australia held a series of symposia on topics including landscape change, fire management, weed management, feral animal management, climate change, cultural heritage and, more recently, threatened species. These fora bring together a range of experts to discuss in detail the issues impacting on park values and make management recommendations which have been incorporated into management programmes.\n\n\n\n\nFigure 12: Line of sight for Section 5.3: Managing park-wide threats affecting values\n\n### Diagram showing the line of sight for Section 5.3: Managing park-wide threats affecting values\n\n \n\n## Overarching principles for managing park-wide threats to natural and cultural values\n\nWhen managing the issues impacting on the park’s values, the following principles apply:\n\n Bininj/Mungguy will continue to be encouraged and supported to guide and participate in the development, implementation and review of all park management programmes (Section 4: Joint management).\n\n Bininj/Mungguy traditional knowledge and practices, values and priorities will continue to be respected, used to inform management priorities and incorporated into programmes to manage the issues impacting on park values (Section 4: Joint management).\n\n A regional approach will be taken to managing threats impacting on park values by liaising and collaborating with neighbours, government agencies, local organisations and other stakeholders in the planning and implementation of management programmes and through involvement with relevant decision-making committees to optimise management outcomes. This may involve park staff assisting neighbours with weed, feral animal or fire management on lands adjacent to Kakadu. Adjoining landholders will be kept informed about any on-ground management operations which may affect them (Section 9.7: Neighbours, stakeholders and partnerships).\n\n Management of natural values will be considered and planned at a landscape level but will not exclude finer scale approaches as needed to optimise management outcomes.\n\n The links between weeds, feral animals and fire, such as feral animals assisting the spread of weeds which contribute to larger fires, will be considered in the development of management programmes, and relevant strategies will be developed to ensure that they are complementary and consistent.\n\n Research on existing and potential issues impacting on park values will be considered and supported where it can be used to inform and improve management (Section 7: Research and knowledge management).\n\n Comprehensive information on the occurrence of weeds, feral animals and fire and on management inputs and success will be recorded and maintained (and readily accessible) (Section 7: Research and knowledge management).\n\n Outsourcing of park weed management and feral control functions within a district, clan estate or specific area of the park to Aboriginal corporations or enterprises will be supported and facilitated where there is capacity to do so (Section 4.3: Bininj/Mungguy training and other opportunities).\n\n \n\n\n\n\nWeeds and plant pathogens\n\n#### Outcome\n\n The impact of weeds on park values is minimised\n\n#### Performance indicator\n\n Distribution and abundance of priority weed species\n\n#### Background\n\nWeeds are one of the most significant threats to the park’s natural and cultural values. Although Kakadu currently has a low proportion of weeds, with less than 8 per cent of the 700-plus plant species recorded in the park recognised as weeds (compared with 21 per cent for other national parks in the region), many of the park’s landscapes are being significantly impacted by invasive weeds. Many of these weeds were introduced during the pastoral era, while more recently others were introduced both intentionally and accidentally into lease areas within the park.\n\nWeeds compete with native plants, may change the structure of vegetation communities, and impact on food and habitat availability for native animals. Significant impacts on ecosystems and the flora and fauna that they support, particularly waterbirds, could affect Kakadu’s World Heritage and Ramsar status.\n\nSome highly invasive weed species such as annual and perennial mission grass occupy large areas of the north-east and central parts of the park and are likely to continue to spread in lowland woodland environments. These species cause dramatic increases in the intensity of fire, and such weed-fuelled high-intensity fires may threaten many natural values. Climate change modelling for the tropical savannas indicates these impacts will worsen under warmer temperatures.\n\nAquatic grassy weeds such as para grass and olive hymenachne are impacting on hunting areas and fire regimes on the floodplains, and have the potential to invade and alter vast areas if left unchecked. Salvinia is spreading in wetland environments and is now present in the Yellow Water visitor area and adjacent waterways used for recreational fishing. Although mimosa is largely under control due to a huge investment of effort over many years, it remains an ever present threat to floodplain areas. A National Environmental Research Programme project shows that the success of this programme effort is likely to be negated if significant resources are not invested in the control of other exotic invasive grasses such as para grass.\n\nFive invasive pasture grasses found in the park, olive hymenachne, gamba grass, para grass and the perennial and annual mission grasses, are listed as a key threatening process affecting biodiversity in northern Australia under the EPBC Act. A national threat abatement plan (DSEWPaC 2012) has been developed to reduce their impacts. Six species found in the park are listed on the Australian Government list of Weeds of National Significance.\n\nSignificant resources have been committed to priority weed management programmes, with some notable success such as the early and ongoing control of mimosa. Park staff undertake weed control programmes in accordance with annual weed management plans, and provide support to outstation residents and neighbours in weed control activities. Biological control techniques have been used to help control weeds such as salvinia and sida species, and research undertaken into the ecology and management of several important weed species has improved other control methods. It is important that management of weeds occurs on a landscape scale and across tenures; for this reason park management undertakes ongoing collaborations with neighbours, including Warddeken Indigenous Protected Area and Energy Resources Australia (ERA). \n\n\nDeliberate introduction of beneficial non-native species (biological control agents)\n\nThe Cyrtobagous weevil was introduced into the park in 1983 to aid with salvinia control. Over the years it has worked extremely well in areas like the Magela billabongs but it does not appear to work as well on open floodplains or Melaleuca swamps. The sida leaf-feeding beetle (Calligrapha pantherina) has been introduced into the park a number of times. It works well in some areas but appears to die out. No adverse ecological impacts of these agents have been reported. Some mimosa biocontrol agents have been developed but not introduced to Kakadu, as they are only viable where there are extensive stands of mimosa. The risks associated with biocontrol introductions are rigorously assessed and introductions are monitored for effectiveness and unintended impacts.\n\nThe EPBC Regulations prohibit bringing plants, soil and other material into the park, or cultivating plants, except in accordance with this plan or a permit from the Director. Jabiru residents and residents of other lease areas may bring in and cultivate plants if they are on the Kakadu National Park Approved Plant List (see Section 10.13: Bringing plants, animals and other materials into the park).\n\nThe Weeds Management Act 2001 (NT) applies to the park in so far as it is not inconsistent with the EPBC Act, this plan or the EPBC Regulations.\n\nManagement issues\n\n Overall weed threat to park values\n\nThe highly invasive nature of a number of significant weeds present in the Kakadu lowlands and wetlands presents a major challenge for park management. Despite considerable and ongoing investment in management of these species, they are proving difficult to contain. In the face of limited resources, future weed management will need to focus on priority areas of the park.\n\n Weed–fire interactions\n\nSome highly invasive weed species such as mission grass and gamba grass cause dramatic increases in the intensity of fire. Warmer temperatures associated with climate change are likely to accentuate this.\n\n Weeds present in the park but not yet well-established\n\nSome weeds such as gamba grass and belly ache bush are currently present in small and/or isolated patches. Park staff, Bininj/Mungguy and visitors need to take care not to spread weed seed around the park. It is possible that current sleeper weeds, particularly broader-leafed species, may become more invasive under warmer climatic conditions.\n\n Potential new weeds\n\nHighly significant water weeds such as water hyacinth, alligator weed and cabomba would have dire consequences for wetlands if introduced to the park. Park management needs to remain vigilant to ensure new species are not introduced and that, if detected, they are very quickly eradicated through ‘early detection and rapid response’. Vehicle, vessel and equipment hygiene is important and levels of awareness within the community need to be improved to minimise the risk of accidental introduction of weeds.\n\n Existing infestations in Jabiru and other lease areas\n\nThere are significant infestations of mission grass in Jabiru and other lease areas, and also several ornamental and garden plants, such as coffee bush (Senna occidentalis), with potential to be significant weeds.\n\n\n\n\n Myrtle rust\n\nMyrtle rust is a serious fungal disease that affects plants in the Myrtaceae family and has the potential to have a devastating impact in the park should it spread here. Myrtaceae in any humid environment will be most susceptible, especially Melaleuca and riparian forests and rainforests around springs in the sandstone and lowlands. How much it will affect species in more open woodland environments remains to be seen, but they are likely to be less susceptible.\n\n Biosecurity\n\nThere are many other plant pests that could potentially impact on park species. Work needs to continue together with other agencies to develop biosecurity practices that help minimise the risk of them being introduced to the park.\n\nPolicies\n\n# 5.3.1 When using poisonous substances in the park to control weeds, the Director will take care to minimise the effects on non-target species.\n\n# 5.3.2 Development proposals within the park are required to include measures to prevent and manage weeds (Section 9.5: Assessment of proposals).\n\n# 5.3.3 The Director may prohibit or restrict access to areas in the park to ensure park values are protected from threats such as weeds, feral animals and fire (Section 10.4: Access).\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 5.3.4 Implement, review and update a park weed management strategy to minimise the impacts of weeds on the park’s values through:\n\n1. assessing risks to park values posed by current and potential weeds\n2. prioritising control of invasive species, giving priority to controlling species that pose a high risk of threatening ecosystem function and/or priority areas, and/or are feasible to control, taking into account changing climatic conditions\n3. using a range of efficient and cost-effective mechanisms to deliver weed management and control. This may include the introduction of non-native biological control agents where they are likely to pose low or no risk to park values\n4. monitoring invasive species spread and effectiveness of control works\n5. awareness of potential new weed species and proposing measures to prevent and/or manage them\n6. adjusting control strategies in response to an improved understanding of invasive species and control methods.\n\n\n# 5.3.5 Develop and implement a weed education programme for park residents, staff, contractors, tour operators and visitors – including how to recognise weeds and their impacts, and information on transfer by vehicles, trailers and vessels and the regulations regarding the entry of plant, animal and soil material into the park.\n\n# 5.3.6 Provide training opportunities on weed identification, control and monitoring for park staff, Bininj/Mungguy, neighbouring Indigenous ranger groups and other stakeholders involved in weed management.\n\n\n\n\n# 5.3.7 Midway through the life of this plan, review and update the Approved Plant List for the park, which identifies the plants that residents of lease areas and Jabiru may bring into the park and cultivate within residential areas without a permit (see Section 10.13: Bringing plants, animals and other materials into the park).\n\n# 5.3.8 Work with government agencies to stay informed about potential new biosecurity risks and develop and implement a biosecurity strategy that identifies and considers potential risks and proposes measures to prevent and/or manage them.\n\n\n\n\nFeral animals\n\n#### Outcome\n\n The impact of feral animals on park values is minimised\n\n#### Performance indicator\n\n Distribution and abundance of priority feral animal species\n\n#### Background\n\n‘Pigs make a mess digging up the ground. Donkeys might damage country some places. Buffalo can mess up country too but not many here now. Before, there was plenty.’\n\nSteven Nabinardi Madjandi, Mirarr/Gundjeihmi clan\n\nFeral animals can have a significant impact on the park’s cultural and natural values. They impact on native plants and animals and available food resources, and cause erosion, saltwater intrusion and the spread of weeds and disease. Asian water buffalo, cattle, pigs, horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, black rats, European bees, cane toads and introduced ants are present in Kakadu. There are also risks that new species, such as crazy ants, will invade.\n\nBuffalo, cattle, pigs, horses and donkeys present public safety issues. Large animals like buffalo and horses are particularly dangerous along roadways. Buffalo and pigs can also be aggressive to humans.\n\nThe cat, pig and cane toad, are identified nationally as key threatening processes impacting on threatened species and ecological communities as listed under the EPBC Act. Threat abatement plans have been developed to reduce the impact of these species (DEH 2005, DEWHA 2008, DSEWPaC 2011).\n\nBininj place a range of values on some introduced animals which are influenced by the history of association between Bininj and each species over time. They value particular species, such as buffalo, cattle and pigs, as a source of food, and believe in the idea of rights to exist on country. For example, horses were around long before the declaration of the park and some Bininj believe they have a right to continue to live here.\n\nSince completion of the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign (BTEC) in 1997, a small herd of buffalo has been kept in a fenced area in the park of approximately 12,000 hectares (known as the Buffalo Farm), to supply meat to Bininj/Mungguy residing in the park to compensate for the significant reduction in numbers during the BTEC programme.\n\nA park-wide feral animal control exercise was conducted in 2008–09. Since then most feral animal control programmes have focused on strategic areas of high risk rather than taking a park-wide approach, due to limited budgets. Aerial survey techniques have also been reviewed and refined. The park is participating in a feral cat research project as part of the National Environmental Research Programme. Two fenced exclosures have been built to exclude feral cats and extensive fauna surveys are being undertaken to improve the evidence base concerning the impacts of feral cats. The park also supports research projects on black rats and disease, and on training northern quolls to avoid cane toads.\n\nThe EPBC Regulations prohibit the movement of livestock through the park and bringing in or keeping animals in the park, except in accordance with this plan or a permit issued by the Director. Section 10.13 of this plan sets out the prescriptions concerning bringing plants, animals and other material into the park.\n\n#### Background on individual species\n\n Buffalo and cattle\n\nAsian water buffalo and cattle impact on all park environments. Freshwater springs are particularly impacted: many change from clear running systems to turbid sediment carrying systems due to buffalo wallowing. Buffalo and cattle also contribute to saltwater intrusion and spread weeds. Buffalo are a major threat to effective management of mimosa, and their rubbing on rock faces impacts on rock art sites. The BTEC removed most buffalo from the park and enabled many disturbed areas to recover. Since then, numbers of buffalo have increased gradually. They are abundant in neighbouring Arnhem Land and pastoral properties, and their numbers are increasing within the park, particularly in the south.\n\n Pigs\n\nPigs cause noticeable widespread impacts around springs, floodplains and small rainforest patches. As well as digging up plant foods they are known to predate on a range of small native animals, including frogs, lizards and turtles, and on their eggs. The foraging activities of pigs help to spread weeds, such as mimosa and olive hymenachne, and this is a major concern. Pigs breed rapidly, so populations can quickly re-establish following control.\n\n Cats\n\nFeral cats are associated with reductions in native species, particularly reptiles, birds and ground-dwelling mammals such as the brush-tailed rabbit-rat, but more information is required to understand the population and impacts of feral cats. Reasonably broad-scale control activities are now being undertaken by Western Australia Parks and Wildlife in the Pilbara.\n\n Cane toads\n\nCane toads arrived in the southern regions of Kakadu in 2001 and populations are now well established throughout the park. Cane toads have serious impacts on some wildlife populations. Toads eat a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate native animals (not only impacting on prey species but also reducing food resources for other native animals), and they have toxic defences that can result in the deaths of animals that eat toads. These impacts also affect the availability of some bush foods for Bininj/Mungguy. Since the arrival of toads in the park, there has been a notable decline in the numbers of quolls and goannas. Large dragons, elapid snakes, freshwater crocodiles and other species are also likely to be affected. Control of cane toads has not been attempted in the park as at the time of preparing this plan there is no known method to manage populations of cane toads over large areas in high-rainfall zones. However, monitoring programmes related to cane toad distribution and impacts on native animals are in place and the park is participating in collaborative research projects that involve relocation of quolls to toad-free islands and training quolls to be toad adverse.\n\n Horses and donkeys\n\nHorses and donkeys cause erosion around water bodies, carry disease, and aid the spread of weeds such as mission grass, gamba grass and rattlepod. Information is required on seasonal distribution and survey techniques to help develop more effective targeted control programmes.\n\n\n\n\n Introduced ants\n\nIntroduced ants are capable of displacing other invertebrates such as green ants, thereby altering food availability for native animals. Introduced ants currently found in the park include the ginger ant, pharaohs ant, Singapore ant, ghost ant and big-headed ant. Major costs have been associated with the control of big-headed ants in Kakadu, Jabiru and lease areas since 2001. The possible introduction of the yellow crazy ant is of major concern. Staff and residents need to be well equipped to quickly and reliably recognise introduced ant species.\n\n Dogs\n\nFeral dogs interbreed with dingoes, and in some locations packs of wild dogs and hybrids place increased pressure on native wildlife within the park. Dogs that are not looked after may pose health and safety risks in Jabiru, park resorts and lease areas, and in Aboriginal outstations.\n\n Black rats\n\nRecent research has shown an increasing abundance and distribution of this non-native rodent across many areas of the Top End, including Kakadu. It can spread disease, compete with native species, predate on native species and also cause considerable economic detriments. A study conducted in Kakadu did not find any diseases that would potentially impact on small mammals, but further research would be advantageous.\n\n Exotic aquatic animals\n\nThe introduction of exotic aquatic animals and aquarium plants into waterways within the park would pose significant ecological risks. Exotic marine animals such as the black-striped mussel could pose significant threats to coastal and estuary areas, and introduction of exotic aquatic snails and fish, such as Tilapia, would have serious impacts on populations of native freshwater species.\n\n Exotic birds\n\nResidents and visitors are not allowed to bring in pet birds, as they may introduce diseases and some species may become pests. Eradication of exotic birds is difficult if large populations become established over significant areas. Species accidentally introduced into Darwin, such as tree sparrows and spice finches, could become a problem in Kakadu if they became established more broadly in the Top End.\n\n European bees\n\nEuropean bees may adversely affect native insects and compete with native animals for nectar, pollen and tree hollows. Research is required to determine the abundance and level of impacts of European bees on wildlife within the park. Control by park staff does not presently extend beyond park infrastructure and visitor areas.\n\n\n\n\nManagement issues\n\n High-priority species\n\nPigs, buffalo, feral cats and cane toads have a very significant impact on threatened species and other biodiversity in the park. Pigs and buffalo have a significant impact on yams and cultural heritage sites. Wild dogs and black rats are also likely to be having a significant impact on fauna species.\n\n Potential new species\n\nYellow crazy ants, mosquito fish and other aquarium and introduced fish such as Tilapia represent a high potential threat to park values. Some introduced bird species could also become pests or transmit disease to wild populations. Preventing introductions of new species is the most important option available for reducing risk of further damage caused by feral animals. Rules regarding restrictions on what animals may be brought into the park are not always followed, either intentionally or accidentally, through lack of knowledge. It is important to provide residents with good information about the potential impacts of introduced animals prior to their arrival in the park.\n\n Unattended pets\n\nDomestic dogs are often left unattended on outstations when people relocate either temporarily or permanently. The dogs are left to fend for themselves; they scavenge for food and may interbreed with dingoes and become a public safety risk especially around residential areas. Similarly cats introduced to outstations are likely to have contributed to the feral cat population. Following two successful desexing programs in 2014, over 90% of the dogs and cats in the Kakadu outstations are now desexed. This means that unless there is recruitment of animals from outside the park, the dog population will progressively reduce. Having a reduced dog and cat population will also help to minimise the adverse impacts of companion animals on native species in the park. This project has been a successful collaboration between AMRRIC (Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities), the Warnbi and Gundjheimi Aboriginal Corporations, and Parks Australia.\n\n Disease\n\nPigs, buffalo, cattle and horses are known carriers of a range of diseases that have the potential to be transmitted to native species and domestic livestock. Kakadu’s location along the northern coastline increases its exposure to potential new diseases, particularly those carried by birds or insects. Cats are also potential vectors of toxoplasmosis, which can affect native mammals.\n\n Other pests\n\nThere are many other pests that could potentially impact on native species. The park needs to continue to work with other agencies to develop and implement biosecurity practices that reduce risks of new pest species becoming established.\n\n Public safety\n\nSome feral animal species present a public safety risk – for example horses on public roads – and need to be managed appropriately.\n\n Effective use of resources\n\nIt is not possible or feasible to eliminate all feral animals from the park. Agreement is needed between all stakeholders on the acceptable level of impact, and management effort allocated accordingly.\n\n\n\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 5.3.9 Future proposals regarding the introduction of biological control agents will be subject to rigorous risk assessment, and any use of such agents will be monitored for effectiveness and impacts upon non-target species and habitats.\n\n# 5.3.10 Authorisation may be given for some feral animals to be retained in the park for Bininj/Mungguy cultural reasons – where this does not significantly affect the natural values of the park or significantly impede the effectiveness of park-wide invasive species management.\n\n# 5.3.11 The Director may provide training in control techniques to enable Bininj/Mungguy not employed by the park to obtain required licences to undertake feral animal control.\n\nActions\n\n# 5.3.12 Implement, review and update the feral animal strategy for the park to minimise the impacts of feral animals on the park’s values including by:\n\n1. assessing risks to park values\n2. prioritising control of invasive species, giving highest priority to controlling species that are at risk of threatening ecosystem function and/or at risk of threatening priority areas and/or detrimental to threatened species\n3. using a range of mechanisms to deliver feral animal management and control\n4. monitoring invasive species density and spread and effectiveness of control works\n5. considering potential new feral animal species and proposing measures to prevent and/or manage them\n6. adjusting control strategies accordingly.\n\n\n# 5.3.13 Cease operation of the Buffalo Farm when current management arrangements come to an end, and arrange for rehabilitation measures.\n\n# 5.3.14 Provide an education programme on feral animals for residents, contractors, tour operators and visitors – including recognising feral animals and their impacts, and the responsibilities and requirements regarding the entry of plant, animal and soil material into the park.\n\n# 5.3.15 Work with government agencies to stay informed about potential new biosecurity risks and develop and implement a biosecurity strategy that identifies and considers potential risks and proposes measures to prevent and/or manage them.\n\n# 5.3.16 Control feral animals where they present particular health and safety risks to people or otherwise cause a significant nuisance, particularly in key public visitation sites.\n\n\n\n\nFire\n\n#### Outcome\n\n Fire is actively managed to maintain park values\n\n#### Performance indicators\n\n Reduction in areas impacted by large fires\n\n Reduction in the risk and impact of wildfires entering, spreading, or leaving the park\n\n Reduced frequency of large severe fires\n\n Reduced average fire patch size\n\n#### Background\n\n‘Fire is respected in our culture. Fire is not just fire, it is something that is sacred and embedded in our culture.’\n\nJoshua Hunter, Wurrkbarbar clan\n\nFire is an important and recurring element of the savannas of northern Australia and an effective and necessary management tool. Bininj/Mungguy have always used and continue to use fire as an important tool for managing and expressing ownership of country, and this ongoing and active management of the landscape is one of the values for which Kakadu is inscribed on the World Heritage List (see Appendix A: World Heritage attributes).\n\nTraditional fire management created a mosaic of unburnt, early-burnt and late-burnt patches and over many thousands of years supported Bininj/Mungguy use of resources and helped to create the landscapes and diversity of native species found in the park today. However, following the arrival of Balanda and the introduction of pastoralism, traditional patterns of burning country were severely disrupted and large, hot, destructive dry-season wildfires became more common. The introduction of exotic pasture grasses (such as gamba and mission grass) and the reduction in grazing pressure through removal of water buffalo in the 1980s added fuel to the landscape and further contributed to the problem. Large late-season fires also lead to higher loss of carbon and increased levels of greenhouse gas emissions.\n\nSince the proclamation of the park, fire management has attempted to mimic traditional burning practices to look after country and to protect people and park assets. Considerable progress has been made to reduce the high incidence of late dry-season fires but major fires in the stone country of the park in 2004 and 2006 necessitated a review of fire management and prompted a move towards the development of landscape-based fire plans. The Arnhem Land Plateau Fire Management Plan, developed in 2007, focused on the stone country. Evaluations of the implementation of this plan illustrate some success in changing the fire regime to one dominated by early dry-season fires, however there has been little reduction in the overall frequency of fire (Murphy 2013).\n\nNotwithstanding such management, there is now compelling evidence that recent and current fire regimes are a major contributing factor to the decline of many plant and animal species in Kakadu (and elsewhere in northern Australia), and inappropriate fire regime is a major threat to many of Kakadu’s threatened species and its threatened ecological community. Many threatened and declining species are associated with or dependent upon relatively long-unburnt areas and the current frequency of fires in some areas is resulting in a decline of suitable habitat. Long-unburnt patches provide the opportunity for tree and shrub regeneration. This contributes to habitat with plants of mixed age, which is important for wildlife. A lack of long-unburnt patches contributes to more uniform habitat.\n\nTo maintain the park’s landscapes, native species and cultural values, further changes in the way that fire is managed, particularly in the lowland woodlands, are needed. There are many challenges in doing this, including the vast size of the park; the extensive rugged and generally inaccessible regions; unplanned fires that are deliberately lit or caused through lightning or accidental ignition; and the spread of invasive grasses in the lowlands and floodplains. An overall fire management strategy for the park will be developed to guide management. It will include landscape-based fire strategies for the stone country, lowlands and floodplains/wetlands and set explicit targets for fire management in these landscapes. A major priority in the lowlands is to address the numerous unplanned, unauthorised and large severe fires that are lit along major roads and in the park each year by people using or travelling through the park.\n\nThe fire history of the park is well documented by Bushfires NT using interpretation of satellite imagery, and flora and fauna surveys are conducted periodically at permanent fire monitoring plots as part of the Three Parks Monitoring Programme, which also involves Nitmiluk and Litchfield national parks. Twenty-five years of monitoring data is now available for more than 120 monitoring plots. The park has also supported a major research project on stone country fires and the role of keystone species such as cypress pine (Anlarr) and Allosyncarpia (Anbinik) conducted by researchers from Charles Darwin University.\n\nIn addition to protecting the park’s values, it is essential that fire management programmes, including management of wildfires, ensure the protection of life, property and park assets. Fire management for life and property protection is mostly undertaken around Jabiru township, outstations and other infrastructure and does not necessarily conflict with the use of different fire regimes to maintain park values.\n\nThe Bushfires Act (NT) applies to Kakadu insofar as it is not inconsistent with the EPBC Act, this plan or the EPBC Regulations.\n\nManagement issues\n\n Invasive grasses\n\nThe spread of grassy weeds into the park, and the associated increase in fire risk, poses a major threat to Kakadu landscapes and biodiversity, particularly the lowland woodlands and patches of rainforest.\n\n Unplanned large and severe late-season fires\n\nThese continue to be an issue in some areas of the park, in particular within the stone country where fires may originate from neighbouring areas or be ignited by lightning strike. Each year numerous unplanned and unauthorised fires are ignited along the highways and in the park by people travelling through or using the park. This can negate the effectiveness of planned fire management.\n\n Fire regime\n\nMany threatened and declining plant and animal species (and the threatened ecological community) are detrimentally affected by the current fire regime. More long-unburnt patches are needed to provide the opportunity for tree and shrub regeneration and contribute to habitat with plants of mixed age, which is important for wildlife.\n\n Wildfires spreading, entering or leaving the park through park boundaries\n\nIt is important that the boundary areas of the park are well managed to reduce the risk of unplanned fires entering or spreading from the park. Fire management must be considered in a wider regional context, and close liaison with neighbours and regional organisations is essential.\n\n\n\n\n Bininj/Mungguy support\n\nIt is important to Bininj/Mungguy that they are involved in the development of fire management programmes to ensure that their views regarding how country should be burnt are incorporated and that they support the programmes. It is also important for Bininj/Mungguy to be actively involved in implementing and reviewing the outcomes of fire management programmes.\n\n Climate change effects\n\nChanging climatic conditions may alter the intensity and extent of fires, and fire management strategies need to take this into account.\n\n Knowledge gaps\n\nBetter understanding is required of the role and acceptability of wet-season burning as a tool for reducing native sorghum abundance and promoting development of other understorey communities. Actions relating to research and knowledge management are covered in Section 7 (Research and knowledge management).\n\n Lack of community understanding and awareness\n\nTour operators, visitors and residents need to understand the use of fire as a land management tool and the wise use of fire at campgrounds.\n\n Loss of cultural knowledge\n\nThe loss of cultural knowledge related to traditional burning practices poses a threat to the long-term cultural management and use of floodplains.\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 5.3.17 Fire will be managed to protect park values, in particular from the threats to landscapes identified in Section 5.2.\n\n# 5.3.18 Bininj/Mungguy traditional burning practices will continue to be recognised and incorporated in fire management programmes.\n\n# 5.3.19 Fire management will be carried out in a manner consistent with the Bushfires Act (NT) so far as practicable.\n\n# 5.3.20 The Director may apply for a permit to carry out fire management works under the Bushfires Act (NT).\n\n# 5.3.21 Access to areas in the park may be restricted or prohibited to ensure park values are protected from threats such as fire.\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 5.3.22 Develop, implement, review and update the park’s fire management strategies to minimise the impacts of fire on the park’s values including by:\n\n1. assessing risks to park values\n2. focusing management of fire in priority areas and/or for the management requirements of significant species and ecological communities\n3. using a range of mechanisms to deliver fire management and control programmes\n4. using fire history mapping to set annual and ongoing fire management goals\n5. monitoring the results of fire management and the effectiveness of management works and adjusting management strategies accordingly.\n\n\n# 5.3.23 Map important areas for threatened and significant species and threatened ecological communities, and ensure that management protects these areas from unsuitable fire regimes and implements appropriate fire regimes.\n\n# 5.3.24 Develop a set of thresholds and acceptable ranges for fire regimes for all threatened terrestrial animal and plant species for targeted application to relevant habitat, and ensure that fire management at those sites is maintained within that range.\n\n# 5.3.25 Provide training programmes for park staff, Bininj/Mungguy and community members involved in fire management – including the use of equipment such as incendiaries, GIS and database management and monitoring techniques.\n\n# 5.3.26 Collaborate with relevant organisations to develop and implement a fire education and communication programme for residents, contractors, tour operators and park visitors to emphasise the essential part fire plays in the ecology of Kakadu as well as the wise use of fire at campgrounds, impacts of wildfire, and fire control methods and responsibilities.\n\n# 5.3.27 Structure fire management programs to engage resident Bininj/Mungguy and attract their active support for preventing and reporting unplanned ignition.\n\n\n\n\nClimate change\n\n#### Outcome\n\n Threats to park values are minimised to enhance the resilience of the park\n\n#### Performance indicators\n\n Extent to which strategies for the implementation of management programs and management actions recognise and take into account climate change\n\n Indicators for managing weeds, feral animals and fire\n\n#### Background\n\n‘We have a lot of floodplain and need to be careful for the wildlife. Salt water will come upstream and mix with freshwater and kill the trees. It might affect the fish like barramundi in the billabongs.’\n\nSampson Henry, Limilngan clan\n\nIn recent years global climate change has emerged as a key issue for biodiversity and environmental management. In 2006 the Director commissioned a study of the potential implications of climate change for managing Commonwealth reserves, including Kakadu (Hyder 2008). The results of this investigation have contributed to an improved understanding of and preparedness for changing conditions in the park.\n\nClimate change projections suggest the park will be exposed to a range of challenges. Predictions for 2030 indicate a warming of 1.3°C, a considerable increase in the number of days above 35°C, sea-level rise of over 17 centimetres, an increase in extreme weather events such as cyclones, and elevated CO2 levels. Rainfall amounts are not predicted to change considerably, though timing and frequency may. Increased frequency and intensity of fire arising from a drier and hotter climate has particular implications for fire-sensitive vegetation communities. Some invasive species may be favoured by changes in climate, increasing the threats they already pose to native species and their habitats. Elevated CO2 levels may lead to thickening of some vegetation, and there is some evidence this is already happening.\n\nOther implications for the park are the impact increased temperatures may have on some plant and animal species, particularly endemic species or species with a restricted range. Warmer temperatures and increased CO2 levels may have both a positive and a negative influence on invasive species, so new species may become priorities for management. With increased temperatures but no predicted increase in rainfall amounts, shallower wetlands may be at risk of drying earlier, or drying completely, which could have significant implications for species dependent on wetlands. Reducing the impact of invasive species on these areas will be increasingly important.\n\nSaltwater intrusion has already been observed impacting on low-lying coastal plains in the park. This is likely to continue and to displace saltwater-sensitive species, such as Melaleuca, with encroaching mangroves and saline mudflats. These changes will impact on wildlife and traditional food resources found in freshwater wetlands such as magpie geese and freshwater turtles. Access to traditional hunting areas and sacred sites may also be affected by sea-level rises. Increased intensity of extreme weather events as a result of climate change is likely to have a range of impacts including increased incidents of heat-related illness, expansion of mosquito-borne viruses and exacerbation of damage to rock art sites.\n\n\n\n\nThe impact of climate change can be lessened by ensuring that all existing threats to the park’s integrity are appropriately managed. Management of fire, weeds and pest species may need to be reviewed regularly under changing climatic conditions to assess and address resilience of species or habitats. Climate change may offer some economic benefits to Indigenous communities through participation in carbon trading programmes and employment opportunities in monitoring the impacts of climate change and undertaking remedial and mitigation activities. The park is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and is implementing a range of measures to do this (see Section 9.6: Resource use in park operations).\n\nTo assist the park to understand and adapt to changing climatic conditions, a climate change symposium was held in Kakadu in 2008, a climate change strategy was prepared in 2010 and a vulnerability assessment of the South Alligator River catchment was completed in 2011.\n\nNERP researchers working in the park at the time of preparing this plan are developing fine-scale computer models that will assist in identifying priority areas where it might be possible to mitigate impacts of saltwater intrusion.\n\nManagement issues\n\n Cumulative impact of threats\n\nClimate change is likely to increase or compound the effects of existing biodiversity threats, such as fire and invasive species, and may affect many other aspects of the park such as visitor use and safety.\n\n Knowledge gaps\n\nUpdated and expert information is needed to assess the potential impacts and risks of climate change, and feasible adaptation and mitigation measures.\n\n Scale and ability to overcome threats\n\nSome impacts of climate change cannot be mitigated, while others may not be cost-effective.\n\n Threats to human health\n\nThere may be an increase in heat-related illness, expansion of the number of mosquito-borne viruses and an increase in injuries from extreme weather events associated with climate change.\n\n Infrastructure costs\n\nThere may be an increase in building and infrastructure maintenance costs due to extreme weather events and a need to relocate infrastructure from high-risk areas.\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 5.3.28 The park’s response to climate change will focus on four key priorities:\n\n1. understanding the implications of climate change\n2. implementing adaptation measures to maximise the resilience of Kakadu\n3. working with communities, industries and stakeholders to adapt to climate change\n4. communicating the implications of, and our management response to, climate change.\n\n\n\n\n\n# 5.3.29 The Board may approve fire management activities and projects, including projects carried out by Bininj/Mungguy, that:\n\n1. contribute to addressing or minimising the impacts of climate change\n2. complement fire management carried out in accordance with Sections 5.3.17 to 5.3.26\n\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 5.3.30 Implement, review and update the climate change strategy for the park to help minimise the adverse impacts of climate change, maximise the park’s resilience by reducing other threats to park values, and minimise carbon loss.\n\n# 5.3.31 Work with research partners to improve understanding of the carbon cycle within the park and how much carbon is stored and released due to different management actions. Use this information to refine all management strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of the park.\n\n# 5.3.32 Work with communities, industries and stakeholders to mitigate and adapt to climate change including through an infrastructure risk assessment to identify assets at risk from climate change impacts.\n\n# 5.3.33 Continue existing long-term monitoring programmes for significant fauna (e.g. flatback turtle and crocodiles) and flora species and communities (e.g. fire plot and mangrove monitoring) that are expected to be impacted by climate change.\n\n# 5.3.34 Liaise and work with health authorities to minimise the human health risks from climate change.\n\n# 5.3.35 Communicate information on the implications of, and the park’s management response to, climate change to park residents, contractors, tour operators and visitors.\n\n\nLand use\n\n#### Outcome\n\n Impacts of historic and ongoing land use on park values are managed and minimised to ensure values are maintained and Kakadu is seen as a leading destination to experience these values\n\n#### Performance indicators\n\n Incidents of people bringing in plants and seeds not on the Approved Plant List\n\n Incidents of non-compliance with conditions associated with development approvals\n\n#### Background\n\nKakadu has outstanding natural and cultural values and the Director has a responsibility to conserve these values and minimise the potential impacts of human use of the park. Human impacts on park values may occur as a result of new developments in the park, the activities of people living in the park, or the activities of visitors. The processes and prescriptions in this plan are intended to mitigate these potential impacts (Section 9.5: Assessment of proposals; Section 8: Living in the park - Jabiru and outstations; 10: Managing use of Kakadu National Park).\n\nSection 387(1) of the EPBC Act provides that no mining operations be carried out in the park. This does not prevent the activities listed in s.387(2) of the Act, which include development of Jabiru, transportation of minerals along roads and routes specified in the EPBC Regulations, and construction of power lines, pipelines and water supplies.\n\nThe Supervising Scientist Division and the Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (ERISS), have research and monitoring functions to perform in the park under the Environment Protection (Alligator Rivers Region) Act 1978. These functions relate to uranium mining operations in the Alligator Rivers Region and general mining operations in areas that were included in the Kakadu Conservation Zone that existed in the south of the park between 1987 and 1991. The Supervising Scientist Annual Report describes the research and monitoring undertaken to ensure the protection of the Magela floodplain (and associated water bodies) from operations of the Ranger uranium mine, which adjoins the park. To date no off-site ecological impacts associated with the mining operation have been measured.\n\nPrevious small-scale uranium mining activity in the central and southern regions of the park prior to its proclamation has left mine shafts, tailings, old tracks, and radiological contamination in some locations. During the life of the previous plan, the South Alligator Valley rehabilitation plan, developed in consultation with Bininj/Mungguy and other stakeholders, was implemented and the rehabilitated areas are now being monitored. A containment facility for low-level waste has been developed in the southern part of the park. This requires ongoing licence renewal under the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 and monitoring of related groundwater and vegetation over the next 10 years to ensure there is no contamination.\n\nThe Kakadu Land Rehabilitation Strategy, prepared in 1995, mainly addresses old gravel pits located across the park. It has not yet been fully implemented.\n\nIn 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.\n\n\n\n\nThe 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.\n\nInformation 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.\n\n#### Management issues\n\n Disturbed areas\n\nA 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.\n\n Cumulative impacts of landscape disturbance\n\nMany 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.\n\n Introduction of pests\n\nIf 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).\n\n Ongoing monitoring costs\n\nMonitoring of the South Alligator low-level waste containment facility and groundwater and vegetation over the next 10 years is a significant annual cost.\n\n Direct and indirect visitor impacts\n\nThese 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.\n\n Unregulated use of visitor areas\n\nCoastal areas of the park are popular with some visitors but are remote and can be difficult to access and manage. Overcrowding in camping areas, off-road driving and rubbish are often evident in these areas.\n\n Recreational boating and fishing\n\nBininj/Mungguy have concerns about the number of recreational boats using waterways, the speed some boats travel and the associated impacts on erosion of river banks and animals that live in tidal areas. There is also concern that some visitors may be taking more fish than allowed.\n\n\n\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 5.3.36 Plants and seeds for rehabilitation programmes should be locally sourced where possible.\n\n# 5.3.37 Tourism, recreational opportunities and visitor experiences will be managed to minimise impacts on park values.\n\n# 5.3.38 Reviews of visitor experiences under Section 6.1 (Kakadu as a visitor experience destination, commercial tourism and promotion) will consider visitor impacts and provide recommendations to the Board on future management.\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 5.3.39 Update the Land Rehabilitation Strategy (Murray 1995) identifying rehabilitation priorities for obsolete gravel pits and other sites (including the Buffalo Farm), and undertake rehabilitation works on priority areas, this will be updated in consultation with users of gravel pits.\n\n# 5.3.40 Continue to work closely with the Supervising Scientist and ERA to stay up to date about the management of mining operations adjacent to the park, particularly in relation to activities that could impact park values.\n\n# 5.3.41 Continue to maintain and monitor the South Alligator low-level waste containment facility and related groundwater and vegetation for contamination.\n\n# 5.3.42 Work with government agencies, research institutions and relevant stakeholders to monitor the impacts of recreational fishing in the park, including the impact of boat traffic on bank erosion (see also Section 6.1.11).\n\n5.3.43 Communicate information to park visitors on the direct and indirect visitor impacts on park values to increase awareness and reduce impacts. \n\n\n \n\n\n# 6 Kakadu as a visitor experience destination, commercial tourism and promotion\n\nThis section sets out the policies the Director of National Parks (the Director) will apply for developing Kakadu as a visitor experience destination, developing and managing commercial tourism, and informing people about the park. It includes any Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) provisions which directly relate to the Director, and the actions the Director will take over the life of the plan to work towards achieving the objective and outcomes of this section.\n\n \n\n## Objective\n\nTo increase visitation in a sustainable way and provide opportunities for diverse and enriching visitor experiences which are promoted in an appropriate way\n\n \n\nKakadu National Park is a World Heritage place and people from all over the world visit for its ancient cultural heritage, unique wildlife and magnificent landscapes. Bininj/Mungguy are happy and proud to showcase Kakadu, and would like to be more involved in tourism. With appropriate joint planning, revenue generated through tourism can support conservation activities and enrich local livelihoods through increased social and employment opportunities. This approach will also empower communities by respecting and safeguarding Bininj/Mungguy culture, lifestyle and privacy.\n\nTo increase visitation in a sustainable way Parks Australia will continue to maintain a collaborative approach between land owners, land managers, government, commercial operators and other stakeholders of the park. This collaboration ensures that the wishes of Bininj/Mungguy are respected whilst fostering investment that appropriately showcases the uniqueness of Kakadu through existing and new experiences.\n\nInformation on visitor numbers and usage of the park is collected through traffic counts, ticket sales and visitor surveys. These data collections provide useful information on tourism trends, market segments, visitor use and satisfaction, requirements for planning and developing visitor facilities and new visitor opportunities, and the economic impacts and benefits of tourism.\n\nVisitation to the park started to decline around 2009 due to a number of factors including the after effects of the global financial crisis. However, this trend appears to have been arrested with visitation to the park increasing since early 2014, particularly from the domestic market. Park management has and will continue to look for ways to grow visitation, help and encourage visitors to enjoy Kakadu throughout all its seasons, support opportunities for Bininj/Mungguy to benefit from tourism, and support the tourism industry. This will be achieved through Bininj/Mungguy, Parks Australia, Northern Territory Government, the tourism industry and park user groups working together.\n\n\n\n\nWhile the natural and cultural values of the park are the core of the park’s foundation, these values also have significance to visitors:\n\n the park has a diverse natural and cultural environment that provides a diversity of visitor experiences\n\n the park is a place to learn about and appreciate an ancient culture\n\n the park is a scenic landscape that offers inspiration and enrichment.\n\nThis section should be read in conjunction with Section 9.3 (Authorising and managing activities), Section 9.8 (Revenue and business development) and Section 10.8 (Commercial tourism and accommodation).\n\nFigure 13 illustrates the line of sight for this section of the plan.\n\n \n\nFigure 13: Line of sight for Section 6: Kakadu as a visitor experience destination, commercial tourism and promotion\n\n### Diagram showing the Line of sight for Section 6: Kakadu as a visitor experience destination, commercial tourism and promotion\n\n\n\n\n# 6.1 Destination and visitor experience development\n\n#### Outcome\n\n Visitors enjoy a range of quality experiences and facilities\n\n#### Performance indicators\n\n Visitor satisfaction with the range and quality of park experiences\n\n Visitor satisfaction with the range and quality of park facilities\n\n#### Background\n\n‘People need to come here and relax, sit on the country, feel the spirits of this country, and go home and feel the same way.’\n\nNatasha Nadji, Bunitj clan\n\nIn May 2004, the Director of National Parks, on behalf of the Board of Management and the Australian and Northern Territory governments, commissioned the development of a shared tourism vision for the Park.\n\nThis extensive consultation and analysis process undertaken by John Morse, John King and Jennifer Bartlett resulted in the report: Kakadu – Walking to the future together – A shared vision for tourism in Kakadu National Park (Morse et al. 2005). The report provided a range of recommendations that primarily support:\n\n increased Aboriginal involvement and benefits\n\n organisational change to support tourism development and facilitation\n\n brand development and promotion\n\n improved visitor information and interpretation\n\n development of visitor experiences\n\nAt the core of the report were ten key principles for respecting country and people in the development of tourism, now known as the Shared Vision Principles. The Board of Management adopted these principles in the fifth plan of management as a guide to balance the primary importance of Kakadu’s natural and cultural values with the development of a strategic approach to tourism.\n\nTo facilitate development of visitor experiences consistent with the Shared Vision, the Tourism Master Plan (DNP 2009) was developed to provide a strategic framework for ensuring visitor experiences are established which are culturally appropriate, environmentally sustainable and match the desires of the target market for Kakadu.\n\nThe Tourism Master Plan includes sections on visitor experiences, facilities, access, commercial opportunities, protection of Kakadu from adverse tourism impacts, and the ways in which tourism can promote and appreciate the values of the park and be consistent with the aspirations of Bininj/Mungguy.\n\n\n\n\nThe development of experiences and opportunities for visitors under the Tourism Master Plan and individual visitor experience plans—to be developed for each of the visitor precincts in the park— will take into account a range of traveller types, including:\n\n Group inclusive travellers who pre-purchase the bulk of their holiday through a travel agent or specialist commercial operator.\n\n Free and independent travellers, including 4WD touring and grey nomads, who tend to like the freedom of planning their own arrangements.\n\n Partially packaged travellers who have aspects of their travel pre-booked, such as airfares and accommodation, and arrange commercial or self-guided tours after they arrive.\n\n Visitors to friends and relatives who will be similar to the independent traveller, but will be dependent upon their hosts to inform experience in the park.\n\n Backpackers who are the ultimate free and independent travellers who prefer a highly independent and unstructured approach towards travel and will look for opportunities to experience more adventurous and less commercial activities.\n\n Business travellers who are generally regarded as one of the highest yielding inbound segments because of their high spend per person. Kakadu is not on the conference circuit, but does benefit from delegates that take the opportunity to have a side trip to Kakadu when in Darwin.\n\n Education travellers who are usually students travelling as part of a structured educational excursion, either specifically to the park or as part of a tour of destinations within the Northern Territory or Australia more broadly.\n\nKakadu is part of Australia’s Timeless North National Landscape, a partnership between conservation and tourism aiming to provide new and engaging visitor experiences within this remarkable natural landscape. The Australia’s Timeless North Experience Development Action Plan (EC3 Global and Middle Star 2013) identifies the current and needed products, infrastructure and experiences required to meet and exceed visitor expectations of the region, including Kakadu.\n\nTo encourage greater levels of visitation it is important to not only maintain the existing experiences but to also refocus promotion and develop new visitor experiences including multi-day and repeat stays.\n\nExisting experiences that are popular within the park include:\n\n Bushwalking\n\nKakadu provides a range of opportunities that enable visitors to undertake day walks and overnight bushwalks and is sought after as one of the major bushwalking destinations in the Top End. A draft Kakadu walking strategy developed in 2013 conducted an audit of walks in the park, provided suggestions on grading of walks, and aims to promote walking as an activity in the park.\n\n Camping\n\nVisitors to Kakadu seek different camping opportunities, from quiet and remote places where campers are self-sufficient to more accessible places where facilities are provided.\n\n\n\n\n Recreational fishing and boating\n\nFishing is a major recreational activity in the Top End of the Northern Territory, and Kakadu includes some of the prime recreational fishing areas. Most fishing in the park is undertaken by boat, though opportunities are also taken to fish from river and creek banks. The catch and release method of fishing is encouraged and supported in the park and is commonly practised by recreational fishers.\n\n 4WD touring\n\nFor visitors who enjoy taking the road less travelled, there are a range of visitor sites that are only accessible by 4WD vehicle. Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls are only accessible by 4WD and travellers enjoy the remoteness of West Alligator Head. Camping opportunities at these sites and at Gunlom are ideal for the 4WD enthusiast.\n\n Swimming\n\nIn the hot, tropical climate of the Top End swimming is an enjoyable activity. However, there are a number of potential risks and impacts associated with swimming or entering waters for other purposes, particularly below the escarpment (Section 9.1: Safety and incident management).\n\n Viewing rock art\n\nMany visitors enjoy viewing rock art in the park, and public access is provided to three art sites: Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock) and Nanguluwurr (in the Nourlangie region) and Ubirr (in the East Alligator region). Walking tracks, boardwalks and interpretative materials are provided to offer the best possible controlled experience for visitors at these sites, to provide accurate interpretation and to reduce visitor impacts.\n\n Cultural experiences\n\nMany people come to Kakadu to learn more about Aboriginal culture and to have interactions with Aboriginal people. Visitors to Kakadu can do this by participating in the ranger walks and talks, engaging a Bininj/Mungguy guide or joining a Bininj/Mungguy tour where there are opportunities to hear traditional stories and learn about the living Indigenous culture in the park.\n\n Wildlife watching\n\nKakadu offers many opportunities to see some of Australia’s most iconic species, as well as an extraordinary diversity and abundance of birdlife. A Kakadu Birds iPhone application has been developed to assist visitors to identify common birds in the park.\n\n New visitor experiences\n\nAccess to some visitor experiences is managed via the use of permits and licences. Over the life of the plan new experiences to encourage new and repeat visitation will be considered consistent with this plan, the Shared Vision Principles and processes in this plan for the assessment of new proposals (Section 9.5: Assessment of proposals).\n\n#### Management issues\n\n With changing markets and visitor needs, new experiences are needed to improve the number, diversity and quality of experiences on offer in the park.\n\n Enhancing existing experiences and developing new experiences can be constrained by funding, environmental and cultural considerations.\n\n Much of the visitor infrastructure in the park is ageing, in need of constant maintenance and needs refreshing.\n\n Fluctuating visitor numbers have had an impact on park revenue and therefore the ability to maintain facilities and services in the park.\n\n There is a need to monitor market trends against visitor needs/expectations to ensure the experiences on offer are meeting market demands and visitor expectations.\n\n Exceptional experiences need to be available to visitors, so that they will become ambassadors for the park, telling positive stories when they return home, helping to promote the park and its values.\n\n There is a need for ongoing education, both within the park and more broadly, on where fishing can legally occur within the park, the type of equipment that may be used for recreational fishing and fishing bag limits.\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 6.1.1 Tourism and recreational opportunities in the park will be managed in accordance with this plan and the Shared Vision Principles.\n\n# 6.1.2 Visitor experiences in the park will be as safe as reasonably practicable, be consistent with and have minimal impact on park values and provide opportunities for both independent travellers and commercial tour groups.\n\n# 6.1.3 A range of diverse experiences will be offered in the park that present, communicate, and protect the park values and meet the needs of the target markets.\n\n# 6.1.4 Infrastructure development will be managed consistent with Section 9.4 (Capital works and infrastructure) and Section 9.5 (Assessment of proposals).\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 6.1.5 Take all practicable measures to ensure that a diverse range of experiences are available to visitors and that they present, communicate, and protect the park values and meet the needs of a range of target markets.\n\n# 6.1.6 Review the Tourism Master Plan in the first and sixth years of this plan and progressively implement its recommendations.\n\n# 6.1.7 Prepare precinct plans for key visitor areas in accordance with the Tourism Master Plan.\n\n# 6.1.8 Investigate, develop and implement strategies (consistent with the Shared Vision Principles and Tourism Master Plan) to enhance Indigenous business opportunities and increase annual visitor numbers to the park, including the spread of visitor numbers across the seasons and the average length of stay in the park.\n\n# 6.1.9 Continue to monitor visitor needs to inform decisions about investment and upgrade opportunities for visitor facilities and experiences in the park, from small quiet areas with few or no facilities to developed campgrounds with facilities for larger numbers of people. Where appropriate, consideration will be given to support investment and upgrade opportunities for existing and new experiences within the facilities.\n\n# 6.1.10 In consultation with Bininj/Mungguy, develop, implement and progressively review a strategy for walking in the park that provides for a range of day and overnight walking opportunities and describes prescribed walking routes and permit conditions. Restrictions on the number of participants may be required for some walking routes to mitigate impacts on park values.\n\n# 6.1.11 Undertake a review of fishing and boating in the park to provide recommendations to the Board on future management options and implement supported recommendations as appropriate (see also Section 5.3.42).\n\n# 6.1.12 Continue to proactively engage with and advise visitors on which areas in the park are open to recreational fishing and which areas are sensitive and should be avoided, such as bird rookeries in and adjacent to the East Alligator and South Alligator rivers.\n\n# 6.1.13 Continue to encourage and support (in collaboration with recreational fishing organisations) the use of sustainable fishing practices such as catch and release, including fish handling and other actions that may increase the survival of released fish.\n\n# 6.1.14 Manage access to visitor sites using permits, commercial activity licences and leases (including subleases and occupation licences), and booking systems in addition to temporary or permanent closures of sites under the EPBC Regulations (see also Section 9.3: Authorising and managing activities).\n\n# 6.1.15 Regularly review park use, facility and service fees, permit fees, and lease/licence fees for visitor experiences to ensure that they reflect current market rates and appropriate contribution to the cost of delivery (see also Section 9.8: Revenue and business development). This review must also take into account the importance of encouraging repeat and new visitation.\n\n# 6.1.16 Continue to consider, plan for, manage and promote appropriate public gatherings consistent with the events policy for the park (see also Section 9.8: Revenue and business development).\n\n# 6.1.17 Use best endeavours to ensure that public areas are open for as long as possible, particularly early in each year.\n\n# 6.1.18 Consider implementing staged opening of sites over the shoulder season and providing exclusive use or access to sites.\n\n# 6.1.19 Continue to monitor numbers and trends in visitation and feedback from visitors and the tourism industry, and consider alternative and more cost-effective means of data collection and analysis. Investigate opportunities to work with stakeholders or form partnerships to assist with this analysis.\n\n# 6.1.20 Consider possible development of bicycle riding tracks in and around major population areas that travel through areas of natural beauty to provide an attractive option to visitors. [Note: Use of bicycles is restricted by Section 10.7.6 to vehicle access roads and vehicle access tracks unless other tracks for bike riding are provided by the Director in accordance with that Section].\n\n\n\n\n# 6.2 Commercial tourism development and management\n\n#### Outcomes\n\n Visitors enjoy a range of quality commercial operations\n\n The commercial tourism industry enjoys an encouraging and facilitating business environment\n\n#### Performance indicators\n\n Visitor satisfaction with the range and quality of commercial operations\n\n Commercial tourism industry members are satisfied the business environment enables delivery of quality experiences in the park\n\n#### Background\n\n‘Walking is good. You follow track … you sleep, wake in morning to birds, maybe kookaburra. You feel country.’\n\nBill Neidjie, Bunitj clan\n\nWell-managed commercial tour operations help visitors to experience, enjoy and learn about the park in a sustainable manner while providing an important contribution to the local and regional economies. Approximately 40 per cent of visitors to Kakadu, depending on the season, visit the park with commercial tour operators. The majority of these visitors are international. In addition, many independent travellers participate in boat cruises, scenic flights and other commercial tours while in Kakadu.\n\nCommercial tours available in the park at the time of preparing the plan include standard land-based tours (coach tours and budget to luxury four-wheel drive tours), boat tours, fishing tours, safari camps, cultural activities, bushwalking tours, and tours to limited-access or exclusive-use areas. Depending on the type of tour, commercial operators are required to apply for either a permit or licence. Approximately 100 standard land-based tour operator permits are issued in the park annually. A number of commercial tour activities are also undertaken by Bininj/Mungguy and Bininj/Mungguy organisations (see also Section 4.3: Bininj/Mungguy training and other opportunities).\n\nThe park lease agreements between the Director and traditional owners require the Director to implement an induction scheme for tour operators and their guides. In 2005, the Board introduced compulsory entry-level Knowledge for Tour Guides training (facilitated by Charles Darwin University and co-funded by the Northern Territory Government) that can be delivered flexibly – e.g. through e-learning. The training is based on core competencies related to the interpretation of cultural and natural values, minimising visitor impact, understanding permit and licence conditions and cross-cultural awareness. Over 800 guides have completed the training since its inception.\n\nA review of commercial tourism management in terrestrial Commonwealth reserves led to the development of a commercial activity licensing policy under which permits may be replaced by licences for ‘exclusive/unique or restricted’ activities or new commercial activities. At the time of preparing this plan 32 such licences were in place in Kakadu. To give greater certainty to commercial operators, a new three-year permit opportunity was also introduced for accredited operators.\n\n\n\n\n#### Management issues\n\n More opportunities are needed for Bininj/Mungguy to engage in and benefit from the tourism industry.\n\n Given the importance of the park to tourism and the regional economy, new tourism opportunities are often being sought. Opportunities for appropriate and responsible commercial tourism products need to be facilitated in the park, that are environmentally, culturally and commercially sustainable.\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 6.2.1 Commercial tourism operators will be promoted and encouraged to provide new visitor experiences in the park consistent with Sections 6.1.17 and 6.1.18.\n\n# 6.2.2 Authorisation of commercial tourism, including use of permits, leases (including subleases and occupation licences) and commercial activity licences will be managed in accordance with Section 9.3 (Authorising and managing activities).\n\n# 6.2.3 Bininj/Mungguy will be actively encouraged to be involved in commercial tourism via Bininj/Mungguy or joint enterprises, tour guiding, filming and photography services, and other means. (See also Section 4.3: Bininj/Mungguy training and other opportunities.)\n\n# 6.2.4 Commercial tourism leasing and licencing arrangements will assist to grow visitation and facilitate benefits to Bininj/Mungguy by including a requirement for joint ventures, employment and training and in-kind support in accordance with the Parks Australia Commercial Tourism Licence Policy and Commercial Leasing Policy.\n\n# 6.2.5 Commercial tourism leasing and licencing arrangements will support Bininj/Mungguy enterprises through negotiation of appropriate discounted fees and, where appropriate, reserving the provision of particular experiences for Bininj/Mungguy enterprises, in accordance with the Parks Australia Commercial Tourism Licence Policy and Commercial Leasing Policy.\n\n# 6.2.6 Consistent with Section 4.1.4, the Director will, as far as practicable, inform the tourism industry with 12 to 18 months’ notice when changes are made to visitor management in the park that will significantly affect commercial tourism activities.\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 6.2.7 Provide incentives, including through the length of commercial activity licences, to improve the quality and variety of tourism experiences available in the park.\n\n# 6.2.8 Create partnerships with new and established tour operators who may wish to extend their operations to and within the park.\n\n# 6.2.9 Continue to provide up-to-date information to the tourism industry through regular industry updates, road reports, workshops and other knowledge-sharing opportunities.\n\n# 6.2.10 Engage local industry through the relevant Northern Territory government agencies, Tourism NT and the Australia’s Timeless North National Landscape steering committee. Through these conduits hold tourism industry forums or seminars to enable tour operators, guides and other stakeholders from the tourism industry to discuss and learn about park values, management issues and practices, and for industry to share opportunities, ideas and issues related to the park.\n\n# 6.2.11 Review course content, mode of delivery and service arrangements for the Kakadu Knowledge for Tour Guides course as required.\n\n# 6.2.12 Investigate opportunities for optional cross-cultural sharing in Kakadu as further training for tour guides and operators.\n\n# 6.3 Promotion and marketing\n\n#### Outcome\n\n Promotion of the park presents accurate and appropriate images and information and contributes to increasing visitation\n\n#### Performance indicators\n\n Visitor numbers and length of stay\n\n Kakadu website use\n\n Compliance of commercial tour operator promotional material with the filming and photography guidelines for the park\n\n#### Background\n\n‘I want visitors to feel something they’ll never forget – and have in their heart and mind forever.’\n\nBessie Coleman, Wurrkbarbar clan\n\nPromotion, marketing and media coverage of the park can influence visitor awareness levels, numbers, length of stay and levels of satisfaction. Accurate promotion through various media also helps to give people realistic expectations of their visit and is often their first introduction to the park. Promotion and media coverage can help the Board to communicate its messages to park visitors and the general public and assist with gaining public support for the park and, more generally, for the conservation of natural and cultural values.\n\nThe size and diversity of the park and the natural and cultural experiences available are best appreciated through multi-day visits at different times of the year. Appropriate promotion and marketing assist this understanding and can lead to increased and more rewarding visitation (longer stays, repeat visits).\n\nTourism NT, regional tourism associations and other members of the tourism industry are significant promoters and marketers of Kakadu as a major visitor destination and have contributed to the huge role that Kakadu now plays in attracting people to Australia from around the world. Conservation groups, researchers, professional photographers and filmmakers have also contributed to the name and images of Kakadu and aspects of the park’s natural and cultural values being well known nationally and internationally.\n\nImplementation of the Shared Vision Principles led to the development of a new logo and branding for the park that was rolled out in 2008 and has contributed to raising the profile of the park as a unique visitor destination.\n\nThe park hosts over 100 commercial film and media projects per annum including the award-winning Kakadu documentary in 2013. Several accolades from the tourism industry – such as the best bird-watching destination in Australia (Australian Geographic), sixth-best sunset destination, and fourth best visitor destination – also provide invaluable promotion and marketing for the park. A commercial image capture survey was conducted early in 2015 and the findings of this survey will be used to develop guidelines and improve processes for commercial image capture in the park.\n\nThe increasing range and affordability of camera equipment and rapidly expanding use of social media makes it more challenging to ensure accurate and positive images of the park are taken and disseminated by visitors.\n\n\n\n\nManagement issues\n\n Promotion and marketing material produced by Parks Australia and the tourism industry should be accurate, high quality and consistent with Bininj/Mungguy cultural protocols and contribute to increased visitation and safe and rewarding visitor experiences.\n\n Commercial filmmakers and photographers require access to clear information and guidance material to ensure that their work accurately interprets and promotes the park values and is consistent with Bininj/Mungguy cultural protocols.\n\n Image capture and dissemination – e.g. via social media by park visitors – should contribute to positive and accurate promotion of the park.\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 6.3.1 The park will be promoted and marketed in accordance with the Shared Vision Principles, the following key messages, and other messages as determined by the Board:\n\n1. Kakadu is an Aboriginal place and a cultural landscape\n2. the cultural and natural values of the park are of World Heritage significance and the park is listed as a Wetland of International Importance\n3. Kakadu is jointly managed by Bininj/Mungguy and the Director through the Kakadu Board of Management\n4. Bininj/Mungguy welcome visitors to their country and encourage visitors to learn about the cultural and natural values and joint management of the park\n5. Bininj/Mungguy and the Director care about visitor safety and would like all visitors and tour guides to take good care of their own and other people’s safety while they are in Kakadu: your safety is our concern and your responsibility\n6. If Bininj/Mungguy sites are closed for reasons of cultural significance, the closure will be announced in order to demonstrate and reinforce that the area is a significant living cultural area\n7. Kakadu changes greatly though the seasons and offers unique and different experiences in each season.\n\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 6.3.2 Liaise with the tourism industry to ensure that promotion of the park helps to create appropriate visitor expectations about all activities, including swimming, and understanding of the associated risks. This will include awareness and understanding of seasonal changes and unique opportunities for visitors and commercial interests throughout the year.\n\n# 6.3.3 Develop and implement a cooperative promotion and marketing strategy with the tourism industry and the Australian and Northern Territory governments and other stakeholder groups including Tourism NT and the Australia’s Timeless North National Landscape Steering Committee.\n\n# 6.3.4 Develop information and guidance material (to be approved by the Board) to attract and assist commercial filmmakers and photographers to work in the park to meet their needs, promote the park and respect cultural protocols.\n\n# 6.3.5 Continue to promote appropriate image capture and use by visitors, including the need to respect cultural protocols.\n\n# 6.4 Visitor information\n\n#### Outcome\n\n Visitor experiences are enriched through quality interpretation and information\n\n#### Performance indicator\n\n Visitor satisfaction with the quality of park interpretation and information\n\n#### Background\n\n‘We need to make sure people are getting the right stories about country.’\n\nTraditional owner\n\nWell-prepared and accessible information enables visitors to understand the unique values of Kakadu and to plan their visit and enjoy Kakadu in a safe and appropriate way. Information and interpretation provided for visitors to the park generally relate to information on the values of the park, safety and the risks involved in visiting the park, and rules about visitor activities and sustainable tourism.\n\nThe park presents a significant opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of the oldest culture on earth. This is a key reason people want to visit the park, and the Board and Bininj/Mungguy are keen to provide visitors with information to assist in this understanding. The park also presents an opportunity to learn about the joint management arrangements.\n\nVisitors are able to learn about the park from:\n\n pre-visit information through publications, the tourism industry, Parks Australia’s website, and digital and social media\n\n Bowali and Warradjan cultural centres\n\n park brochures and publications\n\n guided activities presented by park staff and Bininj/Mungguy\n\n commercial tour operations\n\n interpretative and regulatory signage\n\n displays, videos and face-to-face contact with park staff.\n\nThe Bowali Visitor Centre located near Jabiru introduces visitors to Kakadu’s landscapes, plants and animals, as well as Bininj/Mungguy culture. Warradjan Cultural Centre at Cooinda focuses on Bininj/Mungguy culture, with displays of artefacts and information on traditional practices and resource use. The information available to visitors at Bowali and Warradjan complement each other and visitors are encouraged to visit both centres to enhance their experience and understanding of the park and its values.\n\nUpdates to tour operators, visitor centres, visitors and other stakeholders are provided through regular newsletters, workshops, forums, daily road reports and Facebook to keep people up to date with the latest information and activities.\n\n\n\n\nA record number of visitors (53,000 in 2013) attended the free interpretative ranger activities presented as part of the park seasonal ranger programme. Many Bininj/Mungguy are involved in providing these talks and activities for park visitors and are employed by the park on a casual basis or work with Indigenous owned and operated businesses. Also during the life of the fifth plan the Kakadu Visitor Guide and park notes were updated to reflect the new park branding, the website was upgraded and a project to update signage across the park commenced.\n\n#### Management issues\n\n It is important that visitors are able to access accurate information about the park values, management of the park and safe behaviours via a range of tools before a visit and while in the park.\n\n Visitor awareness of seasonal changes affecting access and experiences, particularly during the wet season, is important, and information on access and safety requires ongoing updating.\n\n It is important to continue to provide regular updates to visitor centres both within and outside the park so that accurate and high-quality information is available for visitors at every point of contact.\n\n Many visitors do not visit Bowali Visitor Centre; the benefits of visiting the centre need to be promoted.\n\n Information technology is changing rapidly and the services provided from within the park need to keep up to date with developments in the provision of information and interpretation services and, where possible, facilitate visitors accessing information via a range of technologies.\n\n Comprehensive mobile phone coverage is not available in the park. It is important to continue work with communication providers to improve mobile phone reception across the park so visitors can access high quality information and to provide emergency communications if required. (see also Section 9.1: Safety and incident management).\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 6.4.1 The Director may support the development of new interpretation products and media, including licensed products, subject to Board approval.\n\n# 6.4.2 Signage in the park will enhance the visitor experience and be in accordance with the Kakadu Brand Identity Guidelines (2009), and conform with the signage manual for the park, and all Northern Territory and applicable signage standards and policies, where appropriate and relevant. Consistency will be maintained across all collateral, including marketing material, business naming, building names, road signage and directional signage.\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 6.4.3 Consistent with the key messages in Section 6.3.1, develop, implement and review an interpretation strategy for the park to ensure pre-visit, on-site and post-visit information accurately represents and upholds the park values and Bininj/Mungguy aspirations.\n\n# 6.4.4 Continue to provide up-to-date information to visitors using a variety of means, including social media, the website, the tourism industry, visitor information providers, visitor guides and park notes.\n\n\n\n\n# 6.4.5 Continue to provide a range of on-site and spoken interpretation programmes and interpretation via commercial tour guides, including Bininj/Mungguy guides.\n\n# 6.4.6 Investigate and implement ways to attract more people to visit the Bowali Visitor Centre and Warradjan Cultural Centre during their stay, including incentives for commercial tours to include the centres in their itinerary.\n\n# 6.4.7 Review the operation of the Bowali Visitor Centre and Warradjan Cultural Centre, including considering the possibility of different management arrangements.\n\n# 6.4.8 Continue to provide and update interpretation through the Bowali Visitor Centre and Warradjan Cultural Centre.\n\n# 6.4.9 Provide accurate information to visitor information providers through regular inductions and updates by staff, and maintain active relationships with these providers.\n\n# 6.4.10 Continue to implement the signage project for the park, and review and update signage as needed.\n\n# 6.4.11 Work with the tourism industry to ensure commercial tour guides are providing accurate and appropriate information to visitors, including correct interpretation of Bininj/Mungguy stories.\n\n\n\n\n# 7 Research and knowledge management\n\nThis section sets out the policies the Director of National Parks (the Director) will apply to carry out and manage research and monitoring, and the knowledge gained, to inform park management and improve understanding of the park. It includes any Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) provisions which directly relate to the Director, and the actions the Director will take over the life of the plan to work towards achieving the objective and outcomes of this section.\n\n \n\nObjective\n\nManagement of the park’s natural and cultural values is evidence based, and practices are routinely refined through adaptive management processes\n\n \n\n#### Background\n\nKnowledge is the basis of good management. Knowledge is needed to:\n\n define what plant and animal species and environments are present in the park\n\n ascribe significance and priority to those values\n\n identify threats to the park’s values\n\n inform and refine management goals and objectives\n\n formulate effective mechanisms to conserve values and control threats\n\n inform visitors and residents about the park so their experience is enhanced\n\n measure the effectiveness of management actions\n\n report to various stakeholders on the park’s condition.\n\nKnowledge derives from:\n\n targeted and highly specific scientific investigation\n\n law and experience handed down over countless generations by Indigenous and other landowners\n\n the experience of rangers and managers\n\n ongoing monitoring of changes in species’ abundance and environmental condition\n\n the sharing of information among neighbours\n\n sophisticated but increasingly accessible remote sensing.\n\nAs noted in Section 4.1 (Making decisions and working together), the Kakadu Research and Management Advisory Committee (KRMAC) provides advice to the Board of Management on research and management issues and priorities.\n\n\n\n\nConsistent with recognised best practice, most research in the park has been undertaken using a collaborative approach. This approach has seen Bininj/Mungguy and Parks Australia work with researchers from government and non-government agencies across Australia and internationally.\n\nAs described in Section 5.3 (Managing park-wide threats affecting park values), the Supervising Scientist and ERISS have research and monitoring functions to perform in the park which relate to uranium mining operations. ERISS has an additional function to conduct research on environmental matters for other persons on a commercial basis. The Supervising Scientist and ERISS carry out their functions in accordance with protocols developed and agreed by the Director and the Supervising Scientist.\n\nResearch activities contribute to implementing the Parks Australia Management Effectiveness Framework, including adaptive management to take account of the latest information (see Section 9.10: Implementing and evaluating the plan). It is also important that Bininj/Mungguy and other stakeholders are kept informed of the results, outcomes and adoption of research. To allow this to happen, a range of approaches are used including Board of Management updates, community meetings, workshops and symposia, subsidiary strategies, media releases, publications and park reporting.\n\nPart 13 of the EPBC Act provides for the conservation of biodiversity including listed threatened species and ecological communities, listed migratory species, cetaceans, and listed marine species. Actions in the park that affect individual members of protected species and communities require a Part 13 permit under the Act unless done in accordance with this management plan.\n\nPart 13A of the EPBC Act and Part 9A of the EPBC Regulations prohibit and/or regulate the international movement of wildlife specimens for scientific purposes.\n\nSection 10.12 (Research and monitoring activities and access to genetic resources) sets out the prescriptions for authorising and managing research and monitoring activities by other persons.\n\nFigure 14 illustrates the line of sight for this section of the plan.\n\nFigure 14: Line of sight for Section 7: Research and knowledge management\n\n \n\n\n# 7.1 Research and knowledge management\n\n#### Outcomes\n\n Understanding and knowledge of park values, threats and use of the park improve over the life of the plan and is shared with others\n\n Management actions are adapted to take account of new information and knowledge\n\n#### Performance indicators\n\n Extent to which priority knowledge gaps identified in the park research strategy are researched and filled where possible\n\n Extent to which strategies for the implementation of management programs and management actions change as a result of research\n\n#### Background\n\nProjects related to researching and monitoring the natural and cultural values of the park prior to this plan, including six major research projects being conducted under the National Environmental Research Programme, included monitoring the impacts of cane toads on northern quolls and selected goanna species; ongoing monitoring of the status of threatened species including marine turtles; public rock art site monitoring; assessing potential impacts of climate change on natural and cultural values; monitoring the current and potential impacts of invasive plants; the development and adoption of risk management decision support tools; and ongoing fire plot monitoring.\n\nWhere possible all research and monitoring projects conducted in the park involve Bininj/Mungguy and incorporate their knowledge of country. The Board of Management has approved research guidelines developed by park staff and KRMAC that outline how Bininj/Mungguy want to work with researchers. These guidelines are incorporated in all relevant research undertaken in the park.\n\nManagement issues\n\n There are many important knowledge gaps. Research and monitoring needs to be prioritised and planned and should provide information that contributes to the effective management of the park.\n\n Research and monitoring activities in a park as large as Kakadu are expensive to undertake and partnerships and collaborations with others are important to help address resource constraints and knowledge gaps.\n\n Some key information gaps, such as the implications of climate change for the park, may not be able to be addressed.\n\n Effective methods for storing, managing and retrieving park data and information are required.\n\n Resources for assessing and processing research permits are finite and research applications need to be prioritised to ensure identified knowledge gaps are filled.\n\n The results of research and monitoring need to be clearly communicated to park staff and Bininj/Mungguy and, if appropriate, visitors and the general public.\n\n\n\n\n Bininj/Mungguy interests and traditional knowledge play a fundamental part in understanding changes in and condition of park values and need to be incorporated into research projects.\n\n Effective working relationships with the Supervising Scientist, ERISS and other key partners and stakeholders are essential.\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 7.1.1 The priorities for research will be directed to:\n\n1. ensure that the park’s management is based on the best available evidence\n2. fill the most important gaps in knowledge (those that most impede good management and achieving the objectives of this plan)\n3. ensure that the best available knowledge is widely and appropriately available, accessible and applied, particularly to those implementing management (and that there are systematic and effective mechanisms for the storage and access of knowledge)\n4. ensure that appropriate monitoring programmes provide accurate measurement of park management performance, and that such information is publicly available\n5. establish or enhance research collaborations that facilitate significant, cost-effective research and ensure that knowledge and tools developed are shared among the neighbours of the park and other stakeholders\n6. ensure Bininj/Mungguy and staff have opportunities to participate and receive training in research and to develop research and/or land management skills.\n\n\n# 7.1.2 The Director may carry out research and monitoring that involves actions covered by ss.354 and 354A and Part 13 of the EPBC Act that are consistent with the objectives of this plan and helps improve management of the park.\n\n# 7.1.3 The Director and the Board will consult and seek advice from the KRMAC as necessary (see also Section 4: Joint management).\n\n# 7.1.4 Partnerships with institutions and organisations will be developed and maintained to ensure that the research priorities determined by the Board in consultation with the KRMAC are funded and addressed.\n\n# 7.1.5 Research activities will be conducted in accordance with the research guidelines approved by the Board.\n\n# 7.1.6 Research activities will contribute to implementing the Parks Australia Management Effectiveness Framework including adaptive management to take account of the latest information (see 9.10: Implementing and evaluating the plan).\n\n# 7.1.7 Bininj/Mungguy will be consulted about research and monitoring activities in accordance with the research guidelines approved by the Board and Indigenous research protocols developed under Section 7.1.10.\n\n# 7.1.8 Research and monitoring activities will be undertaken in collaboration with neighbours, regional agencies and others where possible so information, costs and outcomes can be shared.\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 7.1.9 In consultation with KRMAC, develop, implement, review and update a Research and Monitoring Strategy that:\n\n1. identifies research and monitoring priorities and contributes to a strategic, evidence-based approach to research\n2. contributes to the understanding of park values, use and management issues\n3. provides for ongoing monitoring and reporting of park values, use and management issues (see Section 9.10: Implementing and evaluating the plan).\n\n\n# 7.1.10 In consultation with the AAPA and traditional owners, develop Indigenous research protocols and review them along with ERISS research protocols, the research guidelines approved by the Board and conditions as needed. The Indigenous research protocols will ensure research:\n\n1. incorporates Bininj/Mungguy knowledge and perspectives\n2. reflects consultation with Bininj/Mungguy depending on expected level of impact\n3. engages with and provides opportunities for collaboration with and employment for Bininj/Mungguy\n4. is in accordance with the EPBC Act and this plan.\n\n\n# 7.1.11 Develop, implement and review a knowledge management framework that prioritises:\n\n1. protection of Bininj/Mungguy sensitive information.\n2. adoption of standards and protocols for managing ecological, biophysical, cultural and demographic data collected within the park\n3. recording information where management actions are implemented\n4. access to the latest data, information and information management systems (currently spatial systems) at appropriate scales by park management and other relevant staff\n5. mapping of priority areas for natural and cultural values for each key park landscape to inform management priorities\n\n\n# 7.1.12 Promote opportunities for citizen science in the park.\n\n# 8 Living in the park – Jabiru and outstations\n\nThis section sets out the policies for Jabiru, outstations and living in the park, including any Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) provisions which directly relate to the Director of National Parks (the Director), and the actions the Director will take over the life of the plan. Residents of the park should refer to Section 10.3 for policies relating to living in the park.\n\n# 8.1 Outstations and living on country\n\n#### Background\n\nBininj/Mungguy outstations have been established in some areas of the park, and it is likely that Bininj/Mungguy will want to establish more over the life of this plan. The Kakadu Board of Management believes it is important for Bininj/Mungguy to be able to set up outstations to live in and maintain connection to country and culture. It is also important that outstations are set up by people with the right connection to the area; people or organisations who set up outstations make sure they are properly managed and resourced; and the impact of outstations on park values is minimised.\n\nEstablishment, maintenance and resourcing of outstations is the responsibility of the individuals or organisations concerned. It is not the role of the Director or the Board to commit resources to establish and maintain outstations, although non-financial assistance may be provided from time to time in response to specific requests – e.g. to help with grading an access track – subject to available resources and other park management requirements.\n\nA guide to developing outstations was approved by the Board in 2014 to assist Bininj/Mungguy understand the process for establishing outstations, funding considerations and the role of the Board and Director. Advice is required from the Northern Land Council on the traditional rights of the proponents and proposed residents to establish outstations, and on the views of traditional owners and other relevant Bininj/Mungguy in relation to outstation proposals.\n\nManagement issues\n\n Outstations in existence prior to the declaration of the park do not require a sublease; however, this may impact residents ability to seek funding to invest in outstation development.\n\n Expansion of existing outstations may result in additional impact on the local environment and require consideration and assessment.\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 8.1.1 Development of new outstations will require approval of the Board, and approval may be given subject to conditions.\n\n# 8.1.2 Outstations approved by the Board will be authorised by the Director by a sublease or licence (for outstations on Aboriginal land), or a permit or agreement (for outstations on other areas) that will be converted to a sublease or licence when the area becomes Aboriginal land.\n\n\n\n\n# 8.1.3 Proposals to develop new outstations will be dealt with as outlined in the Outstations Guide to Development (2014) approved by the Board and summarised as follows:\n\n1. the proposal will be referred to the Board to decide whether to give in-principle approval\n2. if the Board gives in-principle approval the proposal will be referred by the Director to the NLC for advice as to the traditional rights of the proponent and proposed residents to reside at the place chosen\n3. following consultation with the NLC, the impacts of the proposal will be assessed in accordance with Section 9.5 (Assessment of proposals)\n4. the proposal is referred to the Board to decide whether to give final approval\n5. if the proposal is approved by the Board, the Director will authorise the outstation in the manner provided by Section 8.1.2.\n\n\n# 8.1.4 Residents of outstations that are on Aboriginal land that were either established before the proclamation of the park, or have been established since that date with the permission of the Board, for which a sublease has not been granted, may continue to reside at those places without a sublease but may request a sublease be granted. Where a request is received a sublease will be granted, subject to the Director obtaining consent of the relevant Aboriginal Land Trust.\n\n# 8.1.5 Expansion of existing outstations which will increase the footprint of the outstation will require an assessment of the environmental impact of the proposal in accordance with Section 9.5 (Assessment of proposals) and Board approval.\n\nActions\n\n# 8.1.6 Work with outstation residents to help minimise the impacts of outstations on park values, and to ensure compliance with approval conditions.\n\n# 8.1.7 Provide information to Bininj/Mungguy to assist development of outstation proposals, including potential sources of financial and other assistance; and liaise and, where appropriate, work with relevant organisations (including funding and service delivery agencies) in relation to outstation development and management.\n\n\n\n\n# 8.2 Jabiru\n\n#### Background\n\nJabiru is located in the north-east of Kakadu. The town was established in line with recommendations of the Ranger Uranium Environmental Inquiry (1976–1977) as a closed town to provide housing for people directly or indirectly associated with uranium mining in the Alligator Rivers Region and for government employees. However, from the mid-1980s it has developed a key role as a service hub for the tourism industry and visitors, which use it as a base from which to explore the region, and more recently as a regional administrative centre. At the time of preparing this plan the majority of residents continue to be associated with the Ranger mine, with the rest of the population made up of those who work in the park, the tourism industry, Aboriginal organisations, government services and local businesses, and their dependents.\n\nThe town is part of the West Arnhem Regional Council Local Government Area Shire established under the Local Government Act (NT). Municipal services are provided in the town by the West Arnhem Regional Council.\n\nConstruction of Jabiru was primarily funded by the Ranger mine operator, Energy Resources Australia (ERA), and the Northern Territory Government, which entered into a cost-sharing agreement to provide mechanisms for each to recoup their costs from ‘new entrants’. At the time of preparing this plan there have been no new entrants and ERA maintains a significant proportion of the town’s essential services infrastructure, including the supply of electricity. It also maintains and provides access to the Jabiru airport within the Ranger project area, and has constructed a number of community facilities in Jabiru.\n\nAt the time of preparing this plan ERA’s authority to conduct the Ranger mine under the Atomic Energy Act 1953 requires mining operations to cease in 2021 and the site to be rehabilitated by 2026.\n\nJabiru is located within an area leased by the Director of National Parks to the Jabiru Town Development Authority (JTDA) in 1981. The majority of subleases granted by the JTDA in the town are held by ERA and government. Others are held by local businesses and organisations (including bodies owned by and representing the Mirarr traditional owners and other Bininj). The town lease and therefore all subleases will expire on 30 June 2021.\n\nUnder the town lease the Director may grant licences over land outside the lease area for roads and related works, the discharge of water, sewerage and water supply facilities, and electricity and telecommunications facilities reasonably needed for use in connection with the town. Some essential services infrastructure, such as power and water, is established in these areas. The Director may also grant licences for recreational use of areas by residents of the town. The Jabiru Gun Club is situated on land outside the lease and parts of the Jabiru Golf Course extend beyond the lease, although licences have not been formally granted.\n\nThe Mirarr people are acknowledged as the traditional Aboriginal owners of the Jabiru land and surrounding areas under Aboriginal tradition, and this was recognised by the Ranger Uranium Environmental Inquiry. However, in line with the recommendations of the inquiry the town lease area was excluded from the land scheduled and granted as Aboriginal land under Land Rights Act in 1978. As town land the area could not subsequently be claimed under that Act. In 1997 the Mirarr applied for a determination of native title under the Native Title Act 1993 over the Jabiru lease area and two other adjoining areas of the park excluded from the grant, and are the registered native title claimants.\n\n\n\n\nIn 2009 an agreement was reached to settle the native title claim. Under the settlement the claim areas would be granted as Aboriginal land under the Land Rights Act and leased by the relevant Aboriginal Land Trust to a suitable lessee for the purposes of continued use as a town, and a new town plan would be made. At the time of preparing this plan the two claim areas adjoining the town lease area have been granted as Aboriginal land and leased back to the Director of National Parks by the Kakadu Aboriginal Land Trust. The settlement as it relates to the town lease area has not yet been finalised.\n\nThe establishment of Jabiru has resulted in a number of impacts on the environment within the town and surrounding areas of the park, such as the introduction of dogs, cats and weeds. Activities in Jabiru have the potential to cause other significant adverse environmental impacts including water and soil contamination. Jabiru has had a significant impact on Aboriginal people, lifestyles and traditions in the region; but also provides significant benefits as the commercial and social services hub for the region, including retail, financial, tourism and government services.\n\nUnder the previous management plan the Pets in Jabiru Policy was made to clarify and improve the management of allowable domestic animals in the town.\n\nUnder the EPBC Act (s.388) land in the town must be used and developed in accordance with park management plans and a town plan approved by the Director of National Parks. Management plans must include provisions for and in relation to the use and development of the township. A town plan must provide for the use and development of the township, and must include any matters specified in management plans or the EPBC Regulations. The town plan may apply, adopt or incorporate (with or without modification) the provisions of Northern Territory laws or other instruments as in force at a specified time or from time to time (EPBC Act s.389).\n\nThe Jabiru Town Plan was made by the Northern Territory Government under the Planning Act (NT) and approved by the Director of National Parks in 1981. Under the town plan all use and development of land that is not prohibited by the town plan requires a development permit from the development consent authority under the Planning Act. Under the Act as in force at the time of preparing this plan, development permit applications must be made or consented to by the landowner – i.e., for Jabiru, the Director.\n\nThe town plan will cease to have effect on 1 April 2019 under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.\n\nAt the time of preparing this plan discussions were under way to develop a new planning scheme for Jabiru as part of the Jabiru native title claim settlement. The discussions included proposals that the planning scheme would be based on the general Northern Territory Planning Scheme; would provide a range of land uses and developments that could be allowed to proceed without the need for a development permit, generally in the town or in particular zones established by the scheme; and would introduce some possible changes to land use zones under the 1981 town plan.\n\nManagement issues\n\n Ensuring impacts on the environment in and around Jabiru are minimised, including appropriately managing weeds, domestic animals, feral animals, sewage, waste, chemicals, fire and water, is necessary for maintaining the park’s values.\n\n The impacts of the town on Aboriginal people, lifestyles and traditions need to be minimised while the benefits of the town for Aboriginal people are maximised.\n\n The cessation of mining operations at Ranger is likely to have an impact on Jabiru and services to the park and park visitors.\n\n The town lease and all subleases expire in 2021 and new long-term tenure arrangements need to be in place before the lease expires.\n\n The Jabiru Town Plan ceases to have effect on 1 April 2019 and a new town plan is required under the EPBC Act to ensure development occurs in an appropriate manner.\n\n The town should not impact on the Director’s resources to the potential detriment of other areas of the park.\n\n The interests of other stakeholders in the town, such as residents and local businesses, and regional interests need to be considered. See also Section 9.7 (Neighbours, stakeholders and partnerships)\n\nNote: The Policies and Actions in this Section of the plan need to be read in conjunction with the Policies and Actions in Section 10.3 (Living in the park) relating to Jabiru.\n\nPolicies\n\n# 8.2.1 The Board and Director recognise the Mirrar people are the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land in and around Jabiru.\n\n# 8.2.2 The Director will work with other parties to the Jabiru native title claim settlement to finalise the settlement as soon as possible.\n\n# 8.2.3 Long-term tenure arrangements for the town should be put in place, if possible, before the lease from the Director to the Jabiru Town Development Authority expires on 30 June 2021.\n\n# 8.2.4 The terms and conditions of any new lease or leases relating to the town must be consistent with the park’s values and minimising impacts on the environment, and include relevant obligations on the leaseholder(s).\n\n# 8.2.5 A new town plan should be prepared to come into effect when the current town plan expires on 1 April 2019. The new town plan should include provisions to:\n\n1. simplify development and approval processes, including allowing appropriate minor land use and development proposals to proceed without the need for development consent\n2. ensure that potential impacts on the values of Kakadu and the environment around the town are considered in development consent applications and appropriate conditions are included where necessary to ensure impacts are minimised.\n\n\n# 8.2.6 Subject to any changes implemented during the life of this plan:\n\n1. Jabiru may continue to be developed in accordance with this plan and the 1981 town plan\n2. the terms and conditions of the town lease will be maintained\n3. the location and purposes of zones in the town will be as specified in the existing town plan.\n\n\n# 8.2.7 The Director may, with the approval of the Board, agree new tenure arrangements for the town, and approve a new town Planning Scheme prepared by the Northern Territory Government.\n\n\n\n\n# 8.2.8 Before making any decisions under Section 8.2.7 the Director will:\n\n1. consult and, if possible, reach agreement with the Mirarr people\n2. consult with and have regard to the views of other relevant Bininj/Mungguy and the NLC\n3. consult with the JTDA and the West Arnhem Regional Council (or their successors)\n4. refer the proposal to the Board for consideration and advice\n\n\nand will only approve or proceed with a proposed action if it will provide more benefits than costs to the natural and cultural environment of the park, to Bininj/Mungguy, and to the appropriate use, appreciation and enjoyment of the park by the public.\n\n# 8.2.9 The Director may, with the approval of the Board, issue permits and licences authorising recreational activities by Jabiru residents in areas adjoining the town.\n\n# 8.2.10 In making decisions about liquor permits the Director will consult and have regard to the views of Bininj/Mungguy, the NLC, local Aboriginal associations and the body known as the Gunbang Action Group (or its successor).\n\n# 8.2.11 The Director may take actions covered by ss.354 and 354A of the EPBC Act in Jabiru where they are necessary for preserving or protecting the park (or part of the park) and its values, or protecting or conserving biodiversity or heritage, protecting persons or property, or addressing non-compliance with the town lease(s).\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 8.2.12 Take all reasonable steps to support and finalise the Jabiru native title settlement.\n\n# 8.2.13 Engage in initiatives aimed at developing beneficial outcomes for Aboriginal people, lifestyles, economic aspirations and traditions and minimising the adverse social impacts of Jabiru.\n\n# 8.2.14 Delegate appropriate functions and powers of the Director under the EPBC Regulations to the West Arnhem Regional Council (or any successor to the functions of the council).\n\n# 8.2.15 Provide information to Jabiru residents to encourage them not to introduce animals to the park, not to introduce weeds or allow them to spread, and to plant and cultivate only local native plant species.\n\n# 8.2.16 Prohibit activities, or classes of activities, relating to native and non-native species pursuant to r.12.23A where it is necessary to protect the safety of persons or property or the environment.\n\n# 8.2.17 Take all reasonable steps to:\n\n1. have environment protection and waste management measures undertaken in Jabiru to a high standard\n2. have an environmental management plan for Jabiru developed, implemented and regularly reviewed\n3. ensure regular environmental monitoring of Jabiru and its immediate surroundings\n4. have sewage and waste management in Jabiru reviewed, and necessary changes implemented as soon as possible\n5. ensure weed and feral animal management in the sewage irrigation area and waste dumps is properly addressed.\n\n\n# 8.2.18 Take actions to control other feral animals, such as wild dog and dingo cross-breeds, cats, and buffaloes in the town, if not effectively controlled by Northern Territory Government agencies.\n\n# 8.2.19 Maintain and regularly review lists of plants:\n\n1. under r.12.20 that may be taken into and kept in Jabiru\n2. under r.12.21 that may be cultivated or propagated in Jabiru.\n\n\n# These lists may form part of lists kept in accordance with Section 5.3.7.\n\n# 8.2.20 Seek, as far as practicable, to have the actions in Section 5.3 of this plan relating to weeds implemented in and in relation to Jabiru.\n\n\n\n\n# 9 Administration and business management\n\nThis section sets out the policies for administering Kakadu, including any Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) provisions which directly relate to the Director of National Parks (the Director), and the actions the Director will take over the life of the plan.\n\n# 9.1 Safety and incident management\n\n#### Background\n\nBininj/Mungguy feel a sense of responsibility for all people visiting their country, and feel distressed if a visitor is injured or dies.\n\nThe Director has a duty to take reasonable care for the safety of park visitors under both the common law and the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, and this is an important consideration in managing the park.\n\nA range of measures are adopted in the park to reduce risks to visitors, including:\n\n maintaining roads, tracks and visitor facilities in a safe condition\n\n providing educational materials for visitors on safety risks and safe behaviour\n\n controlling feral animals in the vicinity of roads and visitor sites\n\n managing estuarine crocodiles in accordance with the park’s crocodile management strategy\n\n planning and implementing fire management programmes to ensure protection of life, property and park assets\n\n closure of sites which are considered to pose an unacceptable risk to human safety (e.g. under extreme weather conditions)\n\n providing an emergency communication network in remote areas of the park\n\n incident response in conjunction with the police and other emergency services.\n\nAll visitor safety incidents are reported, recorded and reviewed regularly. Using this information, the Director has compiled a Risk Watch List for the park that identifies and rates a range of risks, including risks to visitor safety. The Risk Watch List also specifies risk management measures that are carried out as required. The list is reviewed and updated regularly.\n\nBoth estuarine and fresh water crocodiles inhabit Kakadu National Park, and incidents resulting from human–crocodile interactions can occur. In such cases the risk of major injury or death is high. Crocodile hunting ceased in the 1970s and the population has been steadily increasing since then towards a normal carrying capacity for the area. Crocodiles are now moving back into waters they once inhabited prior to hunting. Since the late 1990s, crocodiles have been located in plunge pools at the base of the Arnhem Land escarpment each wet season.\n\nDue to the potential interaction of visitors with crocodiles, the risks of swimming in the park are actively communicated through prominent signs near water bodies and warnings in information provided to park visitors. Visitors are encouraged to use the public swimming pool at Jabiru or pools provided at hotels and other commercial accommodation. A crocodile management strategy for the park was developed in 2004 and will be reviewed early in the life of this plan.\n\n\n\n\nWhile the Director makes every effort to ensure visitor safety, there are occasions when incidents occur in the park that affect life, property and the environment. These include car accidents, slips, falls and injuries in remote areas that require search and rescue operations, bushfires, extreme weather events (flooding and cyclones) and chemical spills.\n\nAs noted elsewhere in this plan, the Director has the function under the EPBC Act of administering, managing and controlling the park. This gives the Director responsibility in relation to incidents in the park.\n\nThe Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NT FRS) has the role under the Fire and Emergency Act (NT) of responding to fires and emergencies in an ‘emergency response area’. At the time of preparing this plan an emergency response area is established for the Jabiru township. The NT FRS may also contribute to extinguishing or controlling fires or dealing with emergencies in other areas of the park if requested by the Director or the police. Jabiru members of the NT FRS respond to hazardous materials spills and road accident rescues along the Arnhem Highway and Kakadu Highway. In relation to bushfires, the Bushfires Act (NT) is also relevant.\n\nNorthern Territory Police is the lead agency for search and rescue operations and when a fatality occurs. Under an intergovernmental agreement, in complex rescues the police officer in charge controls the incident in liaison with representatives from each agency involved, including Parks Australia, fire and rescue and emergency services. The police officer in charge has powers to draw on available resources, wherever they are and whoever controls them. The local police also chair the Local Counter Disaster Planning Committee under the Disasters Act (NT), of which Parks Australia is a member, and is responsible for the overall control of counter disaster operations affecting the district in accordance with the local counter disaster plan.\n\nWhen incidents occur in the park anywhere other than in or near Jabiru, park staff often reach the site before other emergency response agencies. Park staff are also often more familiar with remote areas of the park and may have more experience in responding to some types of incidents. As a consequence, park staff often have an important incident management role and may provide considerable operational support to the lead agency. To help manage incidents, a park emergency contingency plan and incident management procedures have been developed.\n\n#### Management issues\n\n Bininj/Mungguy feel considerable responsibility for the welfare of visitors and this features significantly in their responsibilities for looking after country. Cultural considerations are also a significant factor in making decisions about swimming in the park and access in remote areas in the park.\n\n A number of the activities popular in the park involve a level of risk to visitors. Although the park makes information available, some visitors still appear unaware of or indifferent to potential risks.\n\n Kakadu is subject to extremes in weather. Visitors need to keep themselves hydrated particularly in August to October each year and be aware of the risks that storms and floods can bring during the monsoon season.\n\n The potential for interaction between visitors and residents and crocodiles is increasing as the crocodile population expands, and park visitors continually need to be reminded of the associated risks.\n\n Cahill’s Crossing on the East Alligator River is extremely hazardous: there is a risk of being washed off the causeway at certain times and/or of crocodile attack.\n\n\n\n\n Responding to incidents can be costly. While the Director has not sought reimbursement or contributions towards costs from persons involved in incidents prior to the implementation of this plan (e.g. for search and rescue operations), this may be considered during the life of the plan.\n\n In a remote national park covering a large geographic area, response times to incidents can be lengthy due to difficult terrain, communications and mobilisation of experienced and equipped staff. Mobile phone coverage in the park is limited and needs to be improved.\n\n Visitors are provided with a range of information on appropriate behaviour; however, some visitors inadvertently breach regulations through lack of awareness. Ongoing compliance needs to be supported by a range of communication tools and an improved understanding of the common risks.\n\n Feral animals can pose a risk to residents and visitors (see Section 5.3: Managing park-wide threats affecting park values).\n\n Given the location and size of the park and the high number of migratory species and park visitors, there is a need to be able to respond to potential large-scale incidents such as infectious diseases that may be transmitted by humans, wildlife or feral animal populations, for example bird flu. In these instances, park staff would cooperate with relevant Northern Territory and Australian Government agencies and follow agreed protocols. (See Section 5.3: Managing park-wide threats affecting park values).\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 9.1.1 The Director will comply with all relevant workplace health and safety legislation, including ensuring all staff are trained to deal with incident response.\n\n# 9.1.2 The Director will continue to participate in the Local Counter Disaster Planning Committee and liaise with the Northern Territory Police, Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service, and other relevant agencies and stakeholders about incident response procedures, including responsibilities, personnel, training and resources.\n\n# 9.1.3 Access to sites subject to seasonal closure within the park will be assessed and considered safe before being opened to visitors and residents.\n\n# 9.1.4 Crocodiles will be managed in accordance with the crocodile management strategy for the park to minimise the risks of crocodiles to people while ensuring protection of the natural abundance of crocodile populations through the following measures:\n\n1. educating and warning visitors, residents and tour operators about crocodiles and associated risks\n2. maintaining data on crocodile numbers, size and behaviour, particularly in waterways frequented by park residents and visitors\n3. assessing risks posed by crocodiles to people at public sites\n4. implementing procedures to detect and remove estuarine crocodiles from any location where swimming is to be allowed\n5. managing individual crocodiles in these and other locations that present a serious threat to human life\n6. closing water bodies temporarily, seasonally or permanently if crocodiles present a serious threat to human life\n7. ensuring that all staff involved in crocodile management are appropriately trained and experienced to carry out crocodile management activities\n8. working with the Northern Territory Government conservation and land management agencies on interagency collaboration on crocodile management.\n\n\n# 9.1.5 The Director will take all practicable steps to ensure appropriate park-wide communication is available for operational and emergency use, including key visitor sites have an operational emergency communication device.\n\n# 9.1.6 Visitor safety will be a primary consideration in decisions about site access and in park interpretation material and visitor information.\n\n# 9.1.7 Subject to legal requirements, the Director may seek reimbursement or contributions for the cost of responding to incidents, in particular search and rescue operations, in accordance with guidelines approved by the Kakadu National Park Board of Management.\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 9.1.8 Regularly review and update the Risk Watch List or similar risk monitoring and management systems, and prepare risk assessments of visitor sites and facilities, in addition to specific monitoring triggered by incident reports.\n\n1. Based on the Risk Watch List and risk assessments, implement management measures to remove or minimise visitor risk.\n2. Priority risks will include water crossings and priority sites will include Cahill’s Crossing and the Magela Creek crossing.\n\n\n# 9.1.9 Continue to review, update, implement and communicate information about park incident management procedures, addressing in particular:\n\n1. the roles and responsibilities of the Director and emergency response agencies\n2. procedures for managing common and potential incidents that may affect life, property and the environment, including hazardous spills\n3. legislative, training, reporting, record-keeping, debriefing and counselling requirements.\n\n\n# 9.1.10 Continue to assess and communicate to visitors and park residents the risks associated with bushwalking, fishing, swimming and boating in the park, and camping both on land and on boats.\n\n# 9.1.11 Provide appropriate safety information to visitors, such as keeping hydrated, staying on track, walking in the company of others, wearing appropriate clothing, applying sun screen, taking care when crossing waterways in vehicles and being crocodile aware around waterways.\n\n# 9.1.12 Continue to implement the crocodile management strategy for the park, and review and update it early in the life of this plan.\n\n# 9.1.13 Work with government and non-government agencies and other stakeholders to improve mobile phone coverage in the park.\n\n\n\n\n# 9.2 Compliance and enforcement\n\n#### Background\n\nEncouraging compliance with relevant legislation is an important strategy for the protection of park values, park infrastructure, people’s safety and the interests of Bininj/Mungguy. In particular, the Director is required to comply with provisions of the EPBC Act, this plan, other relevant legislation and government policies, and the leases of Aboriginal land in the park. In 2003, the Director endorsed the Parks Australia Compliance and Enforcement Manual, which sets out the broad guidelines and procedures for managing compliance issues in Commonwealth reserves. In 2012 the compliance and enforcement strategy (2012–15) for the park was developed and it is being implemented.\n\nA well-developed education and risk-based enforcement programme tailored to people who use the park is critical for effective management. Compliance with this plan will be promoted by increasing users’ understanding of the conservation values of the park and the objectives of this plan. Effective enforcement is supported through risk-based planning, incorporating targeted monitoring and surveillance, and the collection of intelligence from other sources. In this regard, strong links with Commonwealth and state enforcement agencies to share information and cooperate in joint enforcement activities are important.\n\nThe EPBC Act sets out civil and criminal penalties for breaches, and the EPBC Regulations set out criminal penalties. Administrative remedies, such as the issuing of infringement notices, may also be used in appropriate circumstances. Part 17 of the EPBC Regulations provides for permits to be issued, subject to conditions, for activities that are otherwise prohibited.\n\nStaff may be appointed by the Minister under the EPBC Act as rangers or wardens, and exercise the powers and functions conferred on them by the Act and the Regulations. In addition, all members and special members of the Australian Federal Police are ex officio wardens, and officers or employees of other Australian, state or territory government agencies may be appointed by the Minister as rangers or wardens. The Australian Government requires that investigating officers be trained to standards prescribed in the Commonwealth Fraud Control Guidelines. Rangers and wardens conduct monitoring and enforcement operations while on routine patrols and during specific, targeted programmes. Park staff not appointed as wardens and rangers cannot exercise these powers but can encourage compliance with legislation through education to raise public awareness of appropriate behaviour.\n\nNorthern Territory laws apply in the park to the extent that they can operate concurrently with the EPBC Act and Regulations and this plan.\n\n#### Management issues\n\n Effective compliance and enforcement requires appropriate resources and a strategic approach based on risk management principles.\n\n Exercise of enforcement powers by park staff must comply with Australian Government policies, standards and guidelines.\n\n Establishing and maintaining working relationships with other relevant compliance agencies can improve management of compliance issues that are of shared concern.\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 9.2.1 Park compliance and enforcement strategies will be based on the Parks Australia Compliance and Enforcement Manual, other Parks Australia policies, Australian Government standards, legal requirements, risk management principles, and Board priorities.\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 9.2.2 Continue to implement, review and update the compliance and enforcement strategy for the park and procedures to promote and encourage the protection of park values using complementary approaches, including:\n\n1. informed self-regulation through education and communication programmes\n2. assisted self-regulation, such as through verbal and written advice and warnings\n3. application of administrative powers, such as issuing infringement notices and suspending permits\n4. civil and criminal court proceedings.\n\n\n# 9.2.3 Liaise and, where appropriate, collaborate with other relevant agencies involved in compliance and enforcement. This may include entering into agreements and making arrangements for wardens to be appointed as law enforcement officers under relevant Northern Territory legislation and for Northern Territory Government officers to be appointed as wardens or rangers under the EPBC Act.\n\n# 9.2.4 Monitor the effectiveness of the EPBC Act and Regulations in relation to the park and recommend amendments to the Minister if required.\n\n# 9.2.5 Provide ongoing compliance and law enforcement skills development and assessment for staff appointed, or likely to be appointed, as rangers and wardens. Provide training on the basics of park compliance and enforcement for new staff and relevant stakeholders.\n\n\n\n\n# 9.3 Authorising and managing activities\n\n#### Background\n\nThe values of Kakadu attract a wide range of researchers, visitors and commercial operators interested in learning about and experiencing Kakadu’s unique landscape and habitats. To ensure the park values are protected, the EPBC Act and this plan require that a range of recreational, commercial, research and day-to-day activities can only be undertaken in the park if authorised in accordance with this plan. Authorisation may be given in a number of ways: permits under Part 17 of the EPBC Regulations; approvals issued by the Director of National Parks; activity licence agreements; licences to occupy and use land; and leases (of non-Aboriginal land not under claim) or subleases (of Aboriginal land).\n\nFollowing a review of commercial tourism in Commonwealth reserves, Parks Australia developed and implemented the Parks Australia Commercial Tourism Licence Policy for certain types of tourism operations in place of permits. At the time of preparing this plan 32 commercial activity licences were in place. Licences, which run for a minimum of five years (but can be longer depending on the circumstances), provide greater security for operators and increase revenue to support park management while ensuring park values remain protected.\n\nSection 10 (Managing use of Kakadu National Park) sets out the overarching policies for activities covered by the EPBC Act and Regulations, including whether the activity can be carried on and the form of any required authorisation. Management of authorisations is a key function of park staff.\n\nManagement issues\n\n Continued improvement in administrative processes for issuing and managing authorisations can reduce the burden on users and the administrative costs. For example, some application processes for permits and commercial activity licences are manual and would be improved by the development of suitable online systems.\n\n Adequate resources are required to effectively monitor and manage authorisations.\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 9.3.1 Commercial activity licences, occupation licences, subleases and leases will be offered and used in accordance with the Parks Australia Commercial Tourism Licence Policy and Commercial Leasing Policy to authorise tourism activities that are exclusive or require restricted access or significant capital investment in infrastructure. Subleases and leases will be offered for periods necessary to provide security of tenure to attract and support the level of investment required for tourism activities and developments.\n\n# 9.3.2 A panel that includes independent and tourism industry members will be used to assess applications for activity licences, occupation licences, subleases and leases and make recommendations on whether to issue a licence.\n\n# 9.3.3 Fees for authorisations will be reviewed as required in accordance with Section 9.8 (Revenue and business development).\n\n\n\n\nActions\n\n# 9.3.4 Review and, where possible, improve systems for the processing, administration and management of permits, licences and leases/subleases. This may include investigating the feasibility of developing an online system for self-generating permits and bookings for bushwalking, camping and special-access sites.\n\n# 9.3.5 Continue to provide up-to-date information on the Department of the Environment’s website on permits and licences, the application and assessment processes, and relevant standard conditions.\n\n# 9.3.6 Review the standard conditions for non-commercial permits at least every two years.\n\n# 9.3.7 Develop a range of ecologically sensitive practices to be included in authorisation conditions to assist in the appreciation and protection of park values.\n\n# 9.3.8 Consistent with the compliance and enforcement strategy for the park, ensure that permit holders fulfil all permit conditions, including provision of data and reports for research permits.\n\n# 9.3.9 Review standard conditions for commercial tour permits annually and in consultation with the Kakadu Tourism Consultative Committee.\n\n# 9.3.10 Review, as required, the number of commercial permits and activity licences available to be issued to ensure visitation levels for specific visitor activities and/or sites are sustainable.\n\n\n\n\n# 9.4 Capital works and infrastructure\n\n#### Background\n\nCapital and infrastructure within the park includes management facilities (such as access roads and tracks, staff housing, bores, radio repeaters, district ranger stations, workshops and park headquarters) and visitor facilities (such as roads, walking tracks, campgrounds, signs, boat ramps, day use areas and visitor centres). Most of the capital works and infrastructure developments during the life of the fifth plan were associated with upgrading, maintaining or replacing these facilities. Asbestos removal was undertaken on a large number of park buildings and other infrastructure in 2013.\n\nInfrastructure is also established and maintained by government agencies, Aboriginal associations, and businesses in Jabiru. Section 10.11 (Infrastructure and works), sets out how activities of these users will be managed.\n\nThe Northern Territory Government has responsibility for the care, control and management of the arterial road network in the park, being the Arnhem Highway, the Kakadu Highway, the Old Jim Jim Road and the Oenpelli Road, as well as the Cooinda Road and Gimbat Road up to the Koolpin Gate. The Director has responsibility for the care, control and management of other roads and tracks as necessary for visitor access and park management purposes. Aboriginal organisations are responsible for the maintenance of outstation roads and tracks, and lessees of areas within the park are responsible for maintaining roads and tracks in lease areas.\n\nAt the time of preparing this plan, a road management strategy for the construction and maintenance of roads and tracks in the park was under development by Parks Australia.\n\nTo 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.\n\nPrior 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.\n\n#### Management issues\n\n Infrastructure in the park needs to be established and maintained in accordance with Australian Standards and with minimum levels of impact on park values.\n\n 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.\n\n Park staff housing is expensive to maintain and depreciation of these assets forms a significant expense in the budget.\n\n There is a serious shortage of gravel in some areas of the park.\n\n 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).\n\n\n\n\nPolicies\n\n# 9.4.1 The Director may carry on an excavation, erect a building or other structure, or carry out works in the park.\n\n# 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.\n\n# 9.4.3 The Director may bring inert treated crushed rock into the park for the purpose of road works.\n\n# 9.4.4 New capital works and infrastructure and upgrades to existing infrastructure, will:\n\n1. as far as practicable incorporate cost-effective environmental design, including efficient resource use and low-maintenance designs and materials\n2. comply with all relevant laws, standards, and codes of practice and be consistent with other park policies and strategies\n3. as far as practicable provide access for all members of the public, including the physically impaired.\n\n\n# 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).\n\n# 9.4.6 The Director may maintain landing areas, including helipads and airstrips, for management or emergency purposes or for other purposes as approved by the Board.\n\n# 9.4.7 Where practicable the Director will offer road maintenance and other construction and maintenance contracts to local Aboriginal organisations in the first instance (consistent with lease agreements and procurement requirements of the Australian Government and the Director) (see also Section 4.3: Bininj/Mungguy training and other opportunities).\n\n# 9.4.8 When and if required, the Director may commission the development of new bore sites to address water quality issues.\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 9.4.9 Coordinate road infrastructure management and maintenance with the Northern Territory Government to ensure timely and safe access to and within the park.\n\n# 9.4.10 Maintain roads and tracks that are not the responsibility of the Northern Territory Government or Aboriginal organisations to a standard that provides for safe use by residents and visitors and for management purposes.\n\n# 9.4.11 Develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Northern Territory Government regarding the management of roads in the park and work with them to develop and implement a road management strategy for the park.\n\n# 9.4.12 Work with the commercial tourism industry to ensure infrastructure developments support commercial tourism activities.\n\n# 9.4.13 Develop and implement a capital works and infrastructure management and maintenance system. The system will aim to extend the cost-effective life of assets, improve and maintain asset performance, and maintain infrastructure assets to a reasonable and safe standard.\n\n# 9.5 Assessment of proposals\n\n#### Background\n\nMany activities proposed to be undertaken in the park by the Director, Bininj/Mungguy and external stakeholders such as the tourism industry and business people need to have their potential impacts assessed before a decision can be made on whether the activity should go ahead. Impacts that need to be considered include impacts on the park’s values and on Bininj/Mungguy.\n\nSome activities proposed to be undertaken in the park may be ‘controlled actions’ (see Appendix G: Legislative context) and require assessment and approval by the Minister under the EPBC Act because they are likely to have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance (such as the World Heritage or Ramsar wetland values of the park) or the environment generally.\n\nThe EPBC Act defines the ‘environment’ as including:\n\n1. ecosystems and their constituent parts, including people and communities\n2. natural and physical resources\n3. the qualities and characteristics of locations, places and areas\n4. heritage values of places\n5. the social, economic and cultural aspects of a thing mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c).\n\n\nProposed actions that do not trigger the assessment and approval provisions of the EPBC Act may still have impacts that require assessment before a decision can be made on whether the action should go ahead. Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines were developed in 2008 for proponents to outline the environmental impact assessment process in the park. Proposed actions of a routine nature that are authorised by or under prescriptions (i.e. policies and actions) in this plan generally do not require impact assessment.\n\nThe Director and the Board make decisions on whether proposals should be approved using the environmental impact assessment process for the park. Decisions regarding proposals and activities in the park are also subject to the process outlined in Section 4.1 (Making decisions and working together (Board of Management)).\n\nPolicies\n\n# 9.5.1 The potential impacts of all proposed actions under this plan will be considered, and where necessary assessed, in accordance with Table 4 (Impact assessment process), the assessment matters and considerations outlined in Table 5 (Environmental impact assessment matters and considerations), and the following policies. Where a proposed action requires approval or advice from the Board of Management, the Board will be advised of the outcome of that consideration and any assessment.\n\n# 9.5.2 Proposed actions that are considered likely to have more than a negligible impact but are not controlled actions under the EPBC Act will be assessed in accordance with the impact assessment procedures for the park.\n\n# 9.5.3 Assessment of proposed activities that are not controlled actions may be carried out by Parks Australia, proponents of the proposed activity, or independent experts, depending on the nature of the activity, with the appropriate assessment being determined by Parks Australia.\n\n# 9.5.4 Subject to the EPBC Act, the Director will recover from proponents the costs associated with administering, assessing and managing proposals.\n\n# 9.5.5 Depending on the nature of the application, the Director may request that a proponent seek an independent Environmental Impact Assessment at their own cost.\n\n#### Action\n\n# 9.5.6 As a matter of priority, review the Environmental Impact Assessment guidelines for assessment of proposals to ensure adequate protection of the park’s values. A review of the guidelines will include consideration of the need to seek public comment on certain classes of proposals, such as those which have more than a negligible impact to park values and are likely to be of public interest.\n\n\n\n\nTable 4: Impact assessment process\n\n| Category | Example | Impact assessment requirements |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Category 1
Actions considered likely to have no impact, or no more than a negligible impact, on the park’s environment and natural and cultural values, and on Bininj/Mungguy
|
Minor capital works e.g. maintenance, replacement, repairing or improving existing infrastructure in its present form
Regular/routine ongoing operations to implement prescriptions in this plan e.g. patrols, weed control, fire management
Seasonal opening/closing of visitor areas
Issuing permits for regular activities in accordance with this plan, e.g. land-based tours, camping, research |
Preliminary assessment only required
Use minimal impact work practices when implementing actions |\n| Category 2
Actions considered likely to have more than a negligible impact, but not a significant impact, on the park’s environment and natural and cultural values, and on Bininj/Mungguy |
Moderate capital works, e.g. new infrastructure or moderate expansion/upgrade of existing infrastructure
Rehabilitation of heavily eroded sites
Developments for approved existing tourism activities that do not require major works, e.g. small safari camps
Minor new operations or developments to implement prescriptions in this plan |
Assessment by park staff, proponent or independent expert
Assessment in accordance with procedures outlined in Table 5 and approved by Director and Board
An Authority Certificate from the AAPA under the NTASS Act is required where the action has potential impact upon a sacred site. |\n| Category 3
Actions considered likely to have a significant impact on the park’s environment and natural and cultural values, and on Bininj/Mungguy
|
Major capital works, e.g. new major infrastructure or major expansion/upgrade of existing infrastructure
Major new operations or developments to implement prescriptions in this plan
Major/long-term changes to existing visitor access arrangements
Large-scale mine rehabilitation
Expansion of the Jabiru township
New types of commercial activities
New or major expansion of Bininj/Mungguy living areas |
Director will consider whether action should be referred for consideration as a ‘controlled action’ under the EPBC Act
If action is referred and Minister decides it is a controlled action, no assessment is required by Park staff
If action is not referred, or it is referred and the Minister decides it is not a controlled action, assessment as for Category 2
An Authority Certificate from the AAPA under the NTASS Act is required where the action has potential impact upon a sacred site. |\n\nTable 5: Environmental impact assessment matters and considerations\n\n- Matters for assessment Considerations include but are not limited to\n- 1. Environmental context\n- (a) What are the components or features of the environment in the area where the action will take place? Species and ecological communities in the park-wide and regional context Matters of national environmental significance Cultural features Heritage features Socio-economic values including Bininj/Mungguy uses and interests Tourism and recreational values Aesthetic/landscape values Scientific reference areas\n- (b) Which components or features of the environment are likely to be impacted? Short- and long-term impacts on and off site\n- (c) Is the environment which is likely to be impacted, or elements of it, sensitive or vulnerable to impacts? Species and ecological communities, Matters of national environmental significance Cultural values (including sacred sites) Heritage values Tourism and visitor experience Bininj/Mungguy interests, in particular relevant lease conditions Cumulative impacts from a range of activities across the park on the environment or its elements Uniqueness of elements within the park-wide and regional context\n- (d) What is the history, current use and condition of the environment which is likely to be impacted? Comparison with condition of similar sites elsewhere in the park\n\n\n\n\n\n- Matters for assessment Considerations include but are not limited to\n- 2. Potential impacts\n- 1. What are the components of the action?\n2. What are the predicted adverse impacts associated with the action, including indirect consequences?\n3. How severe are the potential impacts?\n4. What is the extent of uncertainty about potential impacts Include associated infrastructure and stages Include indirect and off-site impacts Consider scale, intensity, timing, duration and frequency\n- 3. Impact avoidance and mitigation\n- 1. Will any measures to avoid or mitigate impacts ensure, with a high degree of certainty, that impacts are not significant?(b) What certainty is there that avoidance mitigation measures will be implemented and sustained? Include whether there are any alternative sites for proposal\n- 4. Significance of impacts\n- 1. Considering all the matters above, is the action likely to have a significant impact on the environment? If yes, the Director will consider whether action should be referred for Ministerial consideration under the EPBC Act\n\n\n \n\nNote: this is a guide only, and is subject to change – the detailed environmental impact assessment process is included in the park Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines.\n\n\n# 9.6 Resource use in park operations\n\n#### Background\n\nThe Director supports environmental best practice principles in regard to the use of resources and management of waste products in the park. These principles are applied in matters such as the use of solar power for hot water heating in park houses and powering of bores, and building designs that minimise energy use for cooling. Environmental best practice principles are consistent with the need for conserving the park’s natural and cultural values and Kakadu’s status as a World Heritage area, and minimising the potential impacts associated with waste management practices.\n\nAn energy audit completed in 2009 (McMahon 2009) examined the park’s energy consumption and identified opportunities for more efficient use of energy in park operations. A number of other strategies are being undertaken to help ensure visitor and other human impacts and uses of the park are sustainable (see Section 5.3: Managing park-wide threats affecting park values). Visitors, tour operators and commercial accommodation providers also need to be encouraged to use resources such as water and power more efficiently and to reduce waste.\n\nParks Australia is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of park operations and is working with research partners to improve understanding of the carbon cycle and how much carbon is stored and released due to different management actions. This information will be used to refine all park management policies and practices to minimise the carbon footprint of the park (see Section 5.3: Managing park-wide threats affecting park values).\n\nHaving people camp, stay and live in the park requires the provision of a range of basic services, including sustainable potable water supplies. Parks Australia undertakes regular water quality monitoring at ranger stations and camping areas. In addition, the West Arnhem Regional Council monitors groundwater quality and consumption within Jabiru (see Section 8.2: Jabiru).\n\nManagement issues\n\n Within the park and the Kakadu region there is potential to improve waste management practices and the environmentally responsible use of resources.\n\n Some groundwater resources are unsuitable or of limited use for people due to naturally occurring contaminants including uranium, arsenic, radon and high salt levels. The availability of suitable potable water supplies is an issue at some ranger stations and campgrounds. Groundwater could become contaminated over time due to leaching from rubbish dumps and from pit, composting and septic toilets if these are not properly managed. Groundwater can be depleted through heavy use, causing localised impacts on wildlife populations.\n\n\n\n\nPolicies\n\n# 9.6.1 Recycled and renewable resources and technologies will be used within the park where practicable to reduce the environmental impact of park operations.\n\n# 9.6.2 Where possible, renewable energy will be used in supporting park infrastructure.\n\nActions\n\n# 9.6.3 Undertake a review of the environmental performance of park operations, taking into account the energy audit of park operations undertaken in 2009. Based on the findings of the review, develop and implement an environmental management plan for the park.\n\n# 9.6.4 Continue to implement, review and update the integrated waste management strategy for the park.\n\n# 9.6.5 Comply with relevant government policy and legislation, including toxic and hazardous waste disposal requirements.\n\n# 9.6.6 Encourage commercial tourism operators and accommodation providers to use recycled and renewable resources.\n\n# 9.6.7 Continue to monitor the quality and quantity of groundwater and surface water used for human consumption in the park.\n\n\n\n\n# 9.7 Neighbours, stakeholders and partnerships\n\n#### Background\n\nKakadu plays an important role in the broader region and there are many people who have an interest in its management. It is important to have good working relations with these people and organisations for the effective management of the park, and to assist in ensuring stakeholders and the broader community understand and protect the park values. In short, while management plans recognise boundaries (natural and manmade) most of the species that live in Kakadu and the issues that threaten the species and/or values do not recognise boundaries. Effective management therefore needs to occur across boundaries with neighbours and in conjunction with other land managers.\n\nStrong partnerships and effective relationships with stakeholders and neighbours significantly contribute to improved knowledge and understanding of park values, use and management. The Board of Management includes representatives from the Northern Territory Government and the tourism industry and research sectors. Board advisory committees such as the Kakadu Research and Management Advisory Committee and the Kakadu Tourism Consultative Committee also provide essential contributions to park management (see Section 4.1: Making decisions and working together (Board of Management)).\n\nStakeholders\n\nRegional stakeholders include (but are not limited to) the relevant Aboriginal associations and regional communities; non-government organisations; Australian, Northern Territory and local government departments and agencies, including the Jabiru Town Development Authority; community groups and organisations; recreational users and the tourism industry; and local leaseholders. The Director liaises and works with these stakeholders on issues of common interest. Examples are park membership of the West Arnhem Bushfire Committee, the Northern Territory Weed Advisory Committee, Australia’s Timeless North Steering Committee, the Jawoyn Land Management Advisory Committee, and Tourism Top End; and working with Northern Territory Government emergency services in relation to incident management operations such as search and rescue.\n\nNeighbours\n\nParks Australia works closely with park neighbours, including Energy Resources Australia, Warddeken Indigenous Protected Area, Nitmiluk National Park, Mt Bundy Military Reserve and pastoral properties to manage a range of common issues including weed, feral animal and fire management. Parks Australia also collaborates with neighbours on incident management and joint training. The Kakadu Board of Management has a representative on the Nitmiluk National Park Board of Management.\n\nPartnerships\n\nParks Australia has cooperative relationships with a range of agencies based outside the Kakadu region including non-government organisations such as universities and other research organisations. Many of these agencies have interests in and/or skills and knowledge that can contribute to the management of the park. As a consequence, these partners play an essential role in the effective management of the park. At the time of preparing the plan, partnerships included the National Environmental Research Programme, Conservation Volunteers Australia, the Institute of Professional Practice in Heritage at the Australian National University, Charles Darwin University, the Supervising Scientist and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Climate Adaptation Flagship.\n\n\n\n\nManagement issues\n\n Maintaining good relationships and networks is essential to effective park management\n\n Particular attention needs to be paid to working with neighbours on all park boundaries in the management of fire, feral animals and weeds.\n\n Mining operations at the Ranger uranium mine may conclude during the life of this plan with processing operations currently scheduled to continue until 2021, and rehabilitation to be completed by 2026. While closure of the mine is not expected to directly impact park operations, there will be a potential reduction in size of Jabiru and potentially significant impacts on services and support available in the town. The lease area may be incorporated back into the park at some point after the closure. Prior to incorporating the mine area into the park a number of issues need to be resolved and agreed regarding ongoing management responsibilities.\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 9.7.1 The Director will further develop and maintain good working relationships with park stakeholders, neighbours and other organisations and individuals who have an interest in the park.\n\n# 9.7.2 To help facilitate participation of appropriate stakeholders in park management, the Board may:\n\n1. seek representation on relevant advisory, project and steering committees (see Section 4.1: Making decisions and working together (Board of Management))\n2. establish additional advisory, management and consultative committees\n3. contribute to regional programmes and assist neighbours and stakeholders in a manner consistent with this plan.\n\n\n# 9.7.3 Consistent with Section 4.1.4, the Director will, as far as practicable, consult with stakeholders where their interests are likely to be significantly affected by the development of strategies, guiding documents and determinations/decisions made by the Board and/or the Director.\n\n# 9.7.4 The Director will work with relevant agencies and stakeholders to minimise potential adverse impacts on the park arising from the reduction or cessation of mining operations in the neighbouring Ranger project area.\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 9.7.5 Develop, implement, review and update a park communications strategy that identifies stakeholders and how the park does and can interact with them to ensure park-related information is communicated in an effective and integrated manner.\n\n# 9.7.6 Work with stakeholders and neighbours to promote a regional and partnership approach to issues affecting the management of the park and the Kakadu region, particularly in relation to weeds and fire management operations.\n\n# 9.7.7 In conjunction with Airservices Australia and local flight operators, promote the Fly Neighbourly Agreement among providers of air transport services and review regularly as required. (See also Section 10.4: Access)\n\n# 9.7.8 Foster and encourage relationships with volunteer organisations, groups and individuals that participate in and support park activities.\n\n\n\n\n# 9.8 Revenue and business development\n\n#### Background\n\nThe sources of revenue of the Director of National Parks, in addition to funding from annual government budget appropriations, can include permit fees prescribed by the EPBC Regulations; park use and service fees approved by the Minister under the EPBC Act (s.356A); contracts; leases; gifts; and sponsorships.\n\nAt the time of preparing this plan the majority of operational funding for management of the park came from annual appropriations provided by the Australian Government, supplemented by entry and camping fees, fees for some permits, and fees from commercial activity licences and commercial tenancies in the park. These funding sources cover basic operational costs and some capital works. To enable continued growth of park services there is a need to recognise and encourage appropriate commercial business opportunities and partnerships that will provide additional income and resources and develop and promote the values of the park and the Kakadu brand.\n\nGrants, bursaries and other co-funding arrangements can support a range of research and development work, contributing to increasing the knowledge of park values and appropriate management techniques.\n\nCommercial operations within the park support both visitors and residents through the provision of accommodation, tours, souvenirs, food and a range of other consumables and services. While many businesses operate under permit, sublease or licence within the park and are guided by the policies for commercial operations, the Director and Parks Australia have not entered into any formal commercial income-sharing arrangements or provided any substantial commercial or retail operations.\n\nThe Kakadu Tourism Master Plan and the Australia’s Timeless North Experience Development Action Plan (EC3 2012) seek the establishment of new and improved accommodation facilities and the development of new experiences within the park. Other opportunities for partnership and generating income for the management of the park during the life of this plan may include hosting functions and events, commercial tourism licences, merchandising, downloadable e-applications (e.g. park guides), strategic investments and subleasing.\n\nTo date, marketing of Kakadu has generally been unfunded by Parks Australia, instead delivered by external agencies such as Tourism NT and Tourism Australia. As a consequence cooperative arrangements that publicise the park are also of benefit, such as tourism advertising, books and brochures, scientific documentaries and commercial film production.\n\nAny partnership, sponsorship or investment needs to be in harmony with and support the values of the park, not be in conflict with the public interest, not evoke a perception that the Australian Government is endorsing a particular product, and not damage or disadvantage any relationship with any other stakeholder.\n\nThis section should be read in conjunction with Section 6 (Kakadu as a visitor experience destination, commercial tourism and promotion).\n\n\n\n\n#### Management issues\n\n Over the life of the fifth plan, declining visitor numbers as well as abolition of park use fees in the period 2005–2010, led to a reduction in revenue from entry fees. In addition to increasing visitor numbers and promoting the park (see Section 6: Kakadu as a visitor experience destination, commercial tourism and promotion) there is a need to consider alternative ways to generate revenue to support management of park values and provision of visitor services.\n\n Specialist marketing and business skills and expertise are required to develop this area of park management.\n\nPolicies\n\n# 9.8.1 Gifts, donations or bequests received for a specific purpose will be used for that purpose or another purpose approved by the donor.\n\nActions\n\n# 9.8.2 Investigate and develop a sustainable business model that may include alternative funding and business arrangements such as business partnerships; grants; events, exhibitions and performances; merchandising; retail and accommodation facilities; philanthropic support; donations, contributions, sponsorship and bequests; smartphone applications; licensing; subleasing; not-for-profit partnerships; and support groups such as a ‘Friends of Kakadu’.\n\n# 9.8.3 Develop a business prospectus for proposed developments and projects within the park and implement strategies to secure appropriate funding for such developments and projects.\n\n# 9.8.4 Encourage and support opportunities for promoting the park through external stakeholders, for example through the development of indirect marketing material such as scientific documentaries and commercial film production (see also Section 6: Kakadu as a visitor experience destination, commercial tourism and promotion).\n\n# 9.8.5 Work collaboratively with key stakeholders with specialist marketing and business expertise to identify and develop new revenue and business opportunities.\n\n# 9.8.6 Subject to legal requirements broaden the fee base for provision of park services, including staff support at events, processing permit applications, staff support for media and film crews, and delivery of education services.\n\n# 9.8.7 Consider alternative methods for collecting entry fees and ways to encourage visitors to purchase a park pass, while minimising the cost of administering and enforcing the purchase of park passes.\n\n# 9.8.8 Review park use, camping and other charges determined under s.356A of the EPBC Act (see also Section 6: Kakadu as a visitor experience destination, commercial tourism and promotion).\n\n# 9.8.9 Review permit fees prescribed by the EPBC Regulations and, if appropriate, seek changes to the fees.\n\n\n\n\n# 9.9 Carrying out and authorising activities not otherwise specified and new ways of authorising activities\n\n#### Background\n\nAs noted in Appendix G (Legislative context) and other sections in this part of the plan, a range of actions and activities are prohibited or may be controlled by the Director in Commonwealth reserves under the EPBC Act and Regulations, and certain actions may only be taken by the Director in accordance with this plan. Actions affecting species protected under Part 13 of the Act may be taken in accordance with this plan.\n\nThis plan sets out how the park will be managed for a period of 10 years. During that time, circumstances may arise or proposals be brought forward for actions which were not known at the time the plan was prepared and are not covered by specific prescriptions in the plan. It is possible also that during the life of the plan new and better ways of authorising activities may be identified.\n\nPolicies\n\n# 9.9.1 The Director may take actions that are not covered by specific prescriptions in this plan, including actions prohibited by ss.354 and 354A of the EPBC Act.\n\n# 9.9.2 The Director may authorise (whether by permit, contract, sublease or licence) actions by other persons that are not covered by specific prescriptions in this plan, including actions prohibited by ss.354 and 354A of the EPBC Act.\n\n# 9.9.3 Except in cases of emergency, the decision-making and impact assessment processes prescribed in Sections 4.1 (Making decisions and working together (Board of Management)) and 9.5 (Assessment of proposals) of this plan apply to actions under this Section.\n\n# 9.9.4 The Director may, with the approval of the Board, grant new authorisations (approvals, permits or usage rights) in place of existing authorisations provided for by prescriptions in this plan, to reduce burdens on users and administrative costs.\n\n\n\n\n# 9.10 Implementing and evaluating the plan\n\n#### Background\n\nOne of the main functions of the Board of Management is to make decisions relating to the management of the park consistent with this plan and to monitor the management of the park. Parks Australia’s Management Effectiveness Framework is used to help monitor and improve the management of Commonwealth reserves.\n\nThe prescriptions contained in this plan are based on protecting and presenting the values of the park, and achieving desired objectives for park management and government legislative requirements (including the EPBC Act and the Director’s lease obligations) that deal with specific attributes and issues related to the management of the park. While Section 10 (Managing use of Kakadu National Park) provides a basis for park users undertaking activities, this section provides the Director with the power under ss.354 and 354A of the EPBC Act to carry out actions required to implement this plan.\n\nManagement Effectiveness Framework and implementation of the management plan\n\nThe Parks Australia Management Effectiveness Framework (Figure 15) is used to monitor and report on the management of Commonwealth reserves. This framework is based on maintaining the values of each reserve. The policies and actions contained in this plan have been developed to achieve a set of objectives and outcomes directly relating to managing for these values and communicating and understanding the values. This line of sight is a critical element of the Management Effectiveness Framework, as is reporting against the indicators described in this plan which illustrate how management of the park is tracking against the outcomes. Regular review against these indicators over the life of the plan will enable the Director, Board and stakeholders to be confident that the plan is effectively managing the threats and issues affecting the values of the park.\n\nFigure 15: Parks Australia’s Management Effectiveness Framework\n\n\n\nAt the core of the Management Effectiveness Framework is adaptive management. Reviewing priorities and approaches based on new knowledge, outcomes and changing environments is essential in ensuring that Kakadu is well managed and the park values are maintained. To facilitate this there is a need to develop and review timeframes and priorities for implementing this plan, and to review and update the strategies and plans that support this management plan.\n\nThis plan does not set specific measures for performance indicators, instead it provides for the development of a Performance Monitoring Plan that will determine suitable measures for each performance indicator and thresholds for evaluating performance (see Section 9.10.9). The managers of the park will be required to report against the Performance Monitoring Plan on an annual basis and it may be reviewed in light of an improved understanding of the values of the park and potential threatening processes.\n\nManagement issues\n\n To effectively monitor, evaluate and make informed decisions about prioritisation and the allocation of funding and resources, the Board needs to be provided with clear, accurate and regular information regarding implementation of this plan. To enable this, the collection and management of performance information in the park needs to be adequately resourced.\n\n The ability to implement the plan is constrained by available resources.\n\nPolicies\n\n# 9.10.1 The Director may take actions covered by ss.354 and 354A of the EPBC Act, including actions related to species listed under Part 13 of the EPBC Act, that are otherwise prohibited by the EPBC Act where they are necessary to implement policies and actions in this plan, or where they are otherwise necessary for preserving or protecting the park, protecting or conserving biodiversity, or protecting persons or property in the park.\n\n# 9.10.2 Except in the case of emergency, the decision-making and evaluation of proposals prescribed in Sections 4.1 (Making decisions and working together) and 10 (Managing use of Kakadu) of this plan will apply to actions under Section 9.10.1.\n\n# 9.10.3 Priorities for implementation of the actions in this plan will be determined consistent with the Parks Australia Management Effectiveness Framework and by the need to:\n\n1. manage, communicate and understand the park’s values\n2. ensure visitor safety\n3. provide opportunities for Bininj/Mungguy and respect Bininj/Mungguy aspirations\n4. work within the resources available\n5. ensure cost-effectiveness.\n\n\n# 9.10.4 Other plans and strategies developed for use in the park will be reviewed and updated at least every five years.\n\n# 9.10.5 Park work programmes, expenditure, staff learning and development plans, staff training and activities will be linked to implementing this plan and any other priorities as determined by the Board.\n\n# 9.10.6 The Park Manager will report quarterly to the Board on the implementation of this plan, park expenditure and performance indicators in a manner requested by the Board and consistent with any Parks Australia and government requirements.\n\n# 9.10.7 Information on performance monitoring in the park will be reported in the Director of National Park’s annual report.\n\n\n\n\n#### Actions\n\n# 9.10.8 Develop an implementation plan within the first 12 months of the release of this plan outlining the timeframes and priorities for implementing actions based on available resources and risk. Review the implementation plan in the fourth and eighth years of this plan, including progress of implementation and priorities, taking into account new knowledge and information.\n\n# 9.10.9 Within the first 12 months of this plan, prepare a Performance Monitoring Plan that specifies the measures that will be used to monitor performance indicators in the plan.\n\n# 9.10.10 Ensure the capacity to carry out the monitoring and reporting against performance indicators is reflected in the park staffing structure and staff work plans.\n\n# 9.10.11 Undertake a formal review of the plan in the eighth year of the plan. This review will be conducted by external reviewers and publically released. The purpose will be to:\n\n1. evaluate the effectiveness of the plan in managing the park’s values and contributing to achieving the objectives and outcomes of the plan\n2. review progress against performance indicators over the life of the plan\n3. report on any prescribed policy or action that was not implemented, or which failed to achieve the desired aim(s) and determine the cause of any failures\n4. contribute to the development of the next plan through considering options for improving management of the park.\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nPART D\n\nManaging use of Kakadu \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nWhat park users need to know about accessing and using the park\n\n# 10 Managing use of Kakadu National Park\n\nThis section sets out general policies for the use of the park and provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) that apply to park users, including recreational activities, commercial activities, research and other park uses.\n\n#### Background\n\nKakadu National Park offers a range of experiences for visitors and residents across the park, providing opportunities to appreciate the unique natural and cultural values. Some activities may be restricted and access to some areas in the park may be limited to ensure that the values of the park are conserved, that activities are conducted in a safe manner, and that other users of the park are not disturbed through the actions of others.\n\nThe EPBC Act (ss.354/354A and 355/355A) prohibits certain actions being taken in Commonwealth reserves except in accordance with a management plan (Appendix G). These actions include killing, injuring, taking, trading, keeping or moving members of native species, actions for commercial purposes and mining operations. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (EPBC Regulations) control, or allow the Director of National Parks to control, a range of activities in Commonwealth reserves such as access, use of vessels, waste disposal, commercial fishing, recreational activities and research.\n\nIn accordance with s.359A of the EPBC Act, this plan does not prevent Bininj/Mungguy and traditional owners from continuing, in accordance with the law, the traditional use of an area for non-commercial hunting or food-gathering, and for ceremonial and religious purposes. Section 8 of the EPBC Act also provides that the Act does not affect the operation of the Native Title Act 1993, which also includes provisions that preserve customary rights to use of land and waters.\n\nThis section of the plan sets out how activities in the park that are covered by provisions of the EPBC Act and Regulations relating to Commonwealth reserves will be managed in Kakadu. While the actions and policies in Sections 4 to 9 of this plan set out how the Director will work to deliver the objectives of the plan, the prescriptions in this section set out how activities of users of the park will be managed.\n\nSection 10.1 provides general power for the Director to issue authorisations (permits, licences etc.) for activities where this is provided for by Sections 10.3 to 10.13.\n\nSection 10.2 provides for the Director to make and change prohibitions, restrictions, and determinations under a number of provisions of the EPBC Regulations to regulate activities where it is necessary for the protection of park values, cultural reasons, or public safety.\n\nSections 10.3 to 10.13 set out the rules that will apply to the operation of the EPBC Act and Regulations on activities in the park. Where these sections allow an activity that is otherwise prohibited by the Act or Regulations to be authorised, the relevant authorisation will be issued in accordance with Section 10.1, will be subject to necessary conditions, and may be varied, suspended or cancelled where such conditions have not been fulfilled or considered necessary to protect the values of the park.\n\n\n# 10.1 Authorisation of allowable activities\n\n#### Background\n\nAs noted in the background of Section 10 this plan provides for certain activities that are otherwise prohibited in the park by the EPBC Act or Regulations to be carried out in accordance with a permit, approval, commercial activity licence, occupation licence, sublease, or lease issued by the Director (‘allowable activities’).\n\nPart 17 of the EPBC Regulations contains provisions for issuing and managing permits, including permit applications; preconditions to permits being issued; and the content of permits. Part 17 also allows for varying, suspending and cancelling permits. These provisions are applied to permits authorised by this plan.\n\nThis Section authorises the Director, with approval from the Board of Management, to replace permits for a class of activities or class or persons where it will lead to greater efficiencies while maintaining protection of park values.\n\nCommercial activity licences, occupation licences and subleases or leases may be used to authorise a range of commercial activities, where this is more appropriate than the use of permits.\n\nDecision-making about authorisation of allowable activities will be consistent with the objectives of this plan, the IUCN category assigned to the park by this plan, the purpose for which the park was declared and the actions required for assessment of proposals and decision-making prescribed in Section 4.1 (Making decisions and working together (Board of Management)).\n\nA person who has applied for or who holds a permit under the EPBC Regulations may seek review of decisions about their application or permit in accordance with the Regulations.\n\nNote: See also Section 6 (Kakadu as a visitor experience destination, commercial tourism and promotion) and Section 9.3 (Authorising and managing activities).\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.1.1 The Director may, with approval of the Board, grant commercial activity licences, occupation licences, subleases and leases for commercial operations in accordance with Section 10.8.\n\n# 10.1.2 A permit may be issued where provided for by Sections 10.3 to 10.13 of this plan, in accordance with Part 17 of the EPBC Regulations, subject to the prescriptions (if any) in the section of this plan relating to the particular activity.\n\n# 10.1.3 A permit may be suspended or cancelled and permit conditions may be varied or revoked in accordance with Part 17 of the EPBC Regulations\n\n# 10.1.4 An approval may be issued for allowable activities where provided for by Sections 10.3 to 10.13 of this plan.\n\n# 10.1.5 With the approval of the Board, the Director may issue an approval for allowable activities for which a permit is otherwise required under Sections 10.3 to 10.13. An approval may be issued to a single person (an ‘individual approval’) or to a class of persons for a particular activity or for a class of activities (a ‘class approval’).\n\n# 10.1.6 An approval may be issued subject to conditions, and may be suspended or cancelled, and approval conditions may be varied or revoked, with approval of the Board, in the same manner and subject to the same conditions that apply to permits under Part 17 of the EPBC Regulations. A class approval may also be varied to remove a person from the class of approved persons if the Director is satisfied the person has breached a condition of the approval.\n\n# 10.1.7 In assessing an application for an authorisation, the Director may ask the applicant for more information if the Director considers there is insufficient information to decide whether to issue the authorisation.\n\n# 10.1.8 Decisions about authorisations will be made in accordance with Section 4.1 (Making decisions and working together), including taking into account the impact assessment of the proposal under Section 9.5 (Assessment of proposals).\n\n\n\n\n# 10.2 General rules for managing use of the park\n\n#### Background\n\nAs noted in the background to section 10 and Appendix G (Legislative context), the EPBC Act and Regulations control or enable the Director to control a range of activities in Commonwealth reserves. Some provisions apply to particular activities; others relate to activities generally and include provisions enabling the Director to:\n\n determine areas where waste may be disposed of (r.12.14B)\n\n prohibit or restrict access or activities (rr.12.23 and 12.23A)\n\n determine adventurous activities and areas where adventurous activities may be done (r.12.26)\n\n determine camping areas and camping sites and associated use conditions (r.12.28)\n\n make determinations about use of fireplaces approved by the Director (r.12.30)\n\n prohibit or restrict use of vehicle access roads and vehicle access tracks (r.12.42)\n\n prohibit or restrict walking or riding on roads and tracks (r.12.55)\n\n make determinations about use of vessels, including to prohibit use, control anchoring and mooring, and set speed limits (r.12.56)\n\n make determinations about use of aircraft in and over reserves (r.12.58).\n\nAt the time of preparing this plan the EPBC Regulations (r.12.26) prohibit certain adventurous activities in the park other than in accordance with a permit from the Director, or in an area approved by the Director. To protect park values and in the interest of public safety these activities, which include climbing, abseiling and jumping from cliffs and rock faces, will not be allowed (see Section 10.7: Recreational activities). Where necessary, the Regulations (r.12.23A) also enable the Director to restrict or prohibit other activities from occurring in all or part of the park.\n\nThe EPBC Regulations (r.12.23) further enable the Director to prohibit or restrict all or some people from entering or remaining in the park, or parts of the park at all times or certain times. Access restrictions in the park are normally used to protect park values or are utilised in the interest of public safety. See also Section 10.4 (Access).\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.2.1 The Director may make, amend and revoke prohibitions, restrictions and determinations under the EPBC Regulations where it is necessary:\n\n1. to protect and conserve natural and cultural values of the park\n2. to ensure human safety or visitor amenity\n3. to give effect to this plan\n4. to enable an activity that would otherwise be prohibited by a current instrument.\n\n\n# 10.2.2 This section applies to all activities covered by Sections 10.3 to 10.13 except to the extent it is inconsistent with a specific prescription in those sections regarding prohibitions, restrictions and determinations.\n\n# 10.2.3 Except in cases of emergency, decisions under Section 10.2.1 will be made in accordance with Section 4.1 (Making decisions and working together (Board of Management)).\n\n\n\n\n# 10.2.4 In the event that the park or part of the park is closed at very short notice for operational, safety, environmental protection or cultural reasons, every effort will be made to notify the tourism industry, the public and other stakeholders as soon as possible (see also Sections 4.1: Making decisions and working together (Board of Management) and 9.7: Neighbours, stakeholders and partnerships).\n\n\n\n\n# 10.3 Living in the park (outstations and Jabiru)\n\n#### Background\n\nBininj/Mungguy living on outstations, and park staff and residents of Jabiru all live within the park. Living within a World Heritage National Park requires all residents to contribute to protecting the park’s values. This includes restrictions on the types and numbers of pets residents can have and the types of plants residents can bring into the park for their gardens.\n\nResidents of the park should also note that other policies in this plan also relate to them – including but not restricted to Sections 10.4 (Access), 10.7 (Recreational activities), 10.11 (Infrastructure and works) and 10.13 (Bringing plants, animals and other materials into the park). Information on what the Director will do over the life of this plan in Jabiru and to support outstations is in Section 8 (Living in the park).\n\nOutstations\n\nEstablishment and maintenance of outstation living areas involves the carrying out of works and, under sections 354(1) and 354A of the EPBC Act, can only be done in accordance with this plan. Outstations on Aboriginal land in the park can be authorised by a sublease granted by the Director, which can only be granted in accordance with this plan (s.358 EPBC Act).\n\nThe Kakadu, Jabiluka and Gunlom leases provide that Bininj/Mungguy are entitled to reside on land in the lease areas, subject to rules in park management plans and decisions of the Board:\n\n at places they were residing when the leases commenced:\n\n- 1978 – Kakadu Land Trust\n\n- 1991 – Jabiluka Land Trust\n\n- 1995 – Gunlom Land Trust\n\n at other locations specified in management plans.\n\nRather than specify places where outstations can be located, the management plan takes the approach of outlining a process for applications to be considered. The Guide to Establishing Outstations approved by the Board provides Bininj/Mungguy with advice as to the process for applying for a new outstation.\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.3.1 Bininj/Mungguy wishing to establish a new outstation will need to seek the Board’s approval in accordance with Section 8.1 of this plan.\n\n# 10.3.2 Residents of pre-existing outstations on Aboriginal land for which a sublease has not been granted may request a sublease in accordance with Section 8.1.4.\n\n# 10.3.3 Expansion of existing outstations which will increase the footprint of the outstation will require an assessment and approval of the Board in accordance with Section 8.1.5.\n\n# 10.3.4 Except as otherwise provided by Section 8.1 or authorised by the Director under that Section, general Policies in this plan apply to outstation areas and residents in the same manner as elsewhere in the park (see for example Section 10.13 - Bringing in plants, animals and other materials in the park).\n\n\n\n\nJabiru\n\nAs Jabiru is part of Kakadu National Park, activities in the town are also subject to the provisions of the EPBC Act and Regulations that apply elsewhere in the park, except to the extent that the Act or Regulations or management plans specify they do not apply. These provisions are:\n\n Sections 354 and 354A – prohibiting certain actions except in accordance with a management plan, including actions that affect members of native species, damaging heritage, carrying on an excavation or building or other works, and commercial activities\n\n Section 358(2) that the Director only grant leases, subleases and licences of land in accordance with a management plan\n\n Division 12.2 of the EPBC Regulations – provisions regulating a range of activities in the park.\n\nNot all of the EPBC Regulations apply in Jabiru. Regulation 12.07 prescribes a number that do not apply. The Regulations that do apply in the town at the time of preparing this plan include:\n\nr.12.15 prohibits the use or introduction of a pesticide, herbicide or other poisonous substance, except reasonable use for a domestic purpose\n\nr.12.19 prohibits taking animals into Commonwealth reserves\n\nr.12.19A prohibits actions affecting non-native species\n\nr.12.19C prohibits actions affecting native species\n\nr.12.20 prohibits plants (other than food) being taken into or possessed in the park unless they are on a list established by the Director\n\nr.12.21 prohibits cultivating or propagating a plant unless it is a native plant included on a list established by the Director\n\nr.12.23A allows the Director to prohibit or restrict activities or types of activities in Commonwealth reserves\n\nr.12.37 prohibits the sale of liquor in the park.\n\nAt the time of preparing this plan the Director had delegated to certain officers of the West Arnhem Regional Council the powers and functions of the Director to issue permits for the purposes of r.12.19 to keep dogs in Jabiru, and to give directions under r.12.22 to remove plants being cultivated or propagated contrary to r.12.21.\n\nAn action (such as a new development) in Jabiru that is likely to have a significant impact on a matter protected by Part 3 of the EPBC Act (including Kakadu’s World Heritage values, threatened species or the environment) will require assessment and approval under parts 7 and 9 of the Act.\n\n \n\nNotes: (a) The Policies in this Section need to be read in conjunction with the Policies and Actions in Section 8.2 (Jabiru).\n\n (b) The Policies in Section 10.13 (Bringing plants, animals and other materials into the park) apply to Jabiru.\n\n \n\n\n\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.3.5 Unless the Board approves otherwise a person other than the Director may only kill, injure, take, trade, keep or move a member of a native species in Jabiru in accordance with a permit issued by the Director under the EPBC Regulations. This Policy does not apply to actions by the Northern Territory or West Arnhem Regional Council (or its successor) in accordance with Section 10.3.26.\n\n# 10.3.6 Subject to other policies in this Section, Policies in Section 8.2, and other relevant policies in this plan, land may be used and developed in Jabiru in accordance with the town lease(s) and a town plan approved by the Director.\n\n# 10.3.7 Until a new town plan is approved by the Director and in effect, the following actions require the Director’s approval, which may be given subject to conditions:\n\n1. all applications for consent for development under the Planning Act (NT), except where the application for consent falls within a class of applications that the Director, with the approval of the Board, has consented to generally and permitted another person to make, such applications under the Planning Act being a class or classes of land use or development\n2. any changes in land use of subleases e.g. from residential to commercial\n3. significant construction or expansion of existing tourism or other commercial or community infrastructure developments.\n\n\n# 10.3.8 Decisions under Section 10.3.7 will be taken in accordance with the consultation procedures in Section 8.2.9.\n\n# 10.3.9 Unless the Board approves otherwise a person other than the Director may only damage heritage in Jabiru in accordance with a permit issued by the Director under the EPBC Regulations.\n\n# 10.3.10 While the 1981 town plan is in effect a person may carry on an excavation, erect a building or other structure, or carry out other works (‘the works’) in the town in accordance with the town plan and other relevant laws, provided that:\n\n1. the works do not require a development permit under the town plan\n2. the works are carried on as part of routine gardening activities, routine infrastructure maintenance (e.g. sewerage, storm water, telecommunication cables) but are not other excavations, including drilling bores, which may only be carried on in accordance with a permit issued by the Director under the EPBC Regulations\n3. the Board may determine that works, other than erecting a building or other structure, require a permit (because of their potential impacts).\n\n\n# 10.3.11 When the new town plan is approved by the Director and in effect in accordance with Section 8.2, a person may carry on an excavation, erect a building or other structure, or carry out other works in the town in accordance with the town plan and other relevant laws, unless:\n\n1. the Board determines the action should be referred to the Board for approval\n2. the action is in a class of actions the Board has determined should be referred to the Board for approval, because the Board is satisfied the action or class of actions may be likely to have unacceptable impacts on Kakadu’s World Heritage values or the environment in and around Jabiru.\n\n\n# 10.3.12 Approval by the Board may be given subject to conditions, and may require a permit to be issued by the Director.\n\n# 10.3.13 Commercial activities, except sale of liquor, may be carried on in Jabiru in accordance with the town lease, town plan and relevant laws without a permit or other approval from the Director.\n\n# 10.3.14 Unless the Director approves otherwise a person may only introduce or use pesticides, herbicides, or other poisonous substances in accordance with a permit issued by the Director. A permit will not be issued if the Director considers that the proposed activity is likely to have an adverse impact on the environment and/or human health.\n\n# Note: The prohibition in r.12.15 of the EPBC Regulations does not apply to reasonable use by a person for domestic purposes.\n\n# 10.3.15 Dogs may be brought into and kept in Jabiru:\n\n1. in accordance with approval issued by the Director under Section 10.13.10\n2. the Jabiru Town Development (Control of Dogs) By-laws (or any laws that amend or replace those by-laws), so far as capable of operating concurrently with this plan\n3. provided that a maximum of two dogs may be kept at any residence.\n\n\n# Note: Policies in Section 10.13 apply to bringing in and keeping other animals.\n\n# 10.3.16 Unless otherwise approved by the Director, or another prescription (i.e. policy or action) in this plan, the following activities may only be carried on in the town in accordance with a permit issued by the Director under the EPBC Regulations:\n\n1. r.12.10 – scientific research\n2. r.12.16 – introduction or removal of earth materials, and fossicking\n3. r.12.26 – adventurous activities\n4. r.12.58 – landing and taking off of aircraft.\n\n\n# 10.3.17 Any other activities carried on in the town that are covered by the EPBC Regulations and not covered by another prescription in this plan may be carried on in accordance with applicable laws and will not require a permit from the Director.\n\nPolicies relating to the sale of liquor in Jabiru\n\n# 10.3.18 Liquor must not be sold in the town except in accordance with a permit issued by the Director under the EPBC Regulations and the Liquor Act (NT).\n\n# 10.3.19 Permits to sell liquor will not be issued by the Director unless the proposed permittee holds a licence under the Liquor Act.\n\n# 10.3.20 A permit holder must not apply to vary a licence under the Liquor Act (NT), or to vary the licence conditions, without first having obtained the approval of the Director.\n\n# 10.3.21 Decisions regarding liquor permits will be taken in accordance with Section 8.2.11.\n\n\n\n\nPolicies relating to the roles and responsibilities of the Northern Territory Government and the West Arnhem Regional Council\n\n# 10.3.22 West Arnhem Regional Council (or successor to this function) should regularly monitor waste water discharges in and from the town, and water supply quality, and provide reports to the Director.\n\n# 10.3.23 As far as possible, West Arnhem Regional Council (or successor to its functions) should ensure municipal environment protection measures, including waste management, are observed and implemented to a high standard.\n\n# 10.3.24 Laws of the Northern Territory relating to the town should be reviewed by the relevant agency where necessary to address any inconsistencies with the EPBC Act, EPBC Regulations and this management plan to avoid unintended inconsistencies in management.\n\n# 10.3.25 The Northern Territory Government or West Arnhem Regional Council (or any successor to the Council’s functions) will be responsible for catching and controlling escaped domestic dogs and other animals in the town.\n\n# 10.3.26 The Northern Territory Government or West Arnhem Regional Council (or its successor) may take actions otherwise prohibited by the EPBC Act or Regulations in relation to native and non-native species in accordance with laws of the Northern Territory where necessary to protect persons or property or the environment.\n\n# 10.3.27 The delegation by the Director to the West Arnhem Regional Council in effect at the commencement of this plan to issue permits for the purposes of r.12.19 to keep dogs in Jabiru will continue, subject to review and amendment or revocation by the Director.\n\n\n\n\n# 10.4 Access\n\nSite access\n\nBackground\n\nAppreciation, enjoyment and understanding of the park’s values are core elements of the purpose for which the park was declared. Providing for a range of visitors and activities in a manner that ensures a safe and rewarding experience for the visitor while maintaining the natural and cultural values of the park is a major focus of management.\n\nTo ensure conservation of the park’s natural and cultural values, there are areas within the park that are not accessible to the public, either on a permanent or a temporary basis. During the wet season there are a number of key visitor sites and roads and walking tracks which become unsafe for public use and are seasonally closed until floodwaters subside and the roads and tracks are made safe again for public use. Late rainfall in the wet season may delay the reopening of certain visitor sites.\n\nFrom time to time, roads and tracks also need to be temporarily closed to facilitate park management operations or at the request of Bininj/Mungguy for cultural reasons. Such closures need to be clearly communicated to visitors and other park users. Park management will work with the relevant Territory government agency(ies) to ensure road and track closures occur outside the peak visitor season where possible.\n\nThe Director’s lease obligations require compliance with any reasonable request from traditional owners, undertaken through the Northern Land Council (NLC), to restrict access to areas of the park for the purpose of Aboriginal use. These include Bininj/Mungguy living areas, areas that are set aside to enable Bininj/Mungguy to exercise their traditional rights associated with ceremonial activities and hunting, and areas where Bininj/Mungguy carry out their own commercial operations.\n\nIn addition, the Director may be required to implement temporary or long-term closures of visitor areas if an activity has the potential to impact on park values or poses a risk to public safety. In other cases, visitor access to sites may be limited to protect visitor experiences, park values, or Bininj/Mungguy interests. In such cases, access is managed through permit and booking systems. Details of vehicle roads and tracks in the park and tracks for walking and riding are provided in the park visitor guide.\n\nThe EPBC Regulations enable the Director to restrict or prohibit entry to areas either by all or by some people, at all times or certain times, and to all or part of the park.\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.4.1 The Director may restrict or prohibit access under Section 10.2 (General rules for managing use of the park) of this plan for cultural, environmental or safety reasons.\n\n# 10.4.2 Decisions regarding short- and long-term changes to access will be made in accordance with Section 4.1 (Making decisions and working together (Board of Management)), and procedures approved by the Board.\n\n# 10.4.3 Permits and booking systems may be used to regulate access to certain areas of the park.\n\n# 10.4.4 Access to cultural sites, or other parts of the park when required for cultural reasons, may be restricted at the request of Bininj/Mungguy and the Board in accordance with any protocols approved by the Board under Section 4.2.9 (Section 4.2: Making decisions and working together (on country)).\n\nRoad access\n\nBackground\n\nMost visitors to Kakadu arrive and travel within the park by road. Visitors and residents are able to travel through the park on an extensive range of sealed and unsealed roads and tracks and marked walking tracks. The main roads into the park are the Arnhem Highway from Darwin and the Kakadu Highway from Pine Creek. The park can also be accessed via the Old Jim Jim and Oenpelli Roads. The Oenpelli Road provides dry-season access to Arnhem Land. This road becomes impassable at times during the wet season at the East Alligator River and Magela Creek crossings. Roads and tracks within the park will be maintained for as long as practicable into the wet season, and opened as soon as practicable after the wet season to provide residents and visitors access to the park.\n\nAll roads and tracks in the park are part of the park and subject to the EPBC Act and Regulations. Northern Territory laws also apply to the extent those laws can operate concurrently with the EPBC Act and Regulations. The EPBC Regulations (rr.12.41, 12.42 and 12.43) provide for roads and tracks to be designated as either available for public use or not. The Director may also place restrictions on the persons or types of vehicles that may use a particular road or track, and may impose certain other controls including speed limits.\n\nFrom time to time the Northern Territory Government may also place controls on the major roads that it maintains, such as weight limits or seasonal closures to protect the road surface and provide for people’s safety.\n\nRoad construction and maintenance works are actions covered by ss.354 and 354A of the EPBC Act and can only be carried on in accordance with this plan. Policies and actions relating to road maintenance activities undertaken by the Director are in Section 9.4 (Capital works and infrastructure). Section 10.11 sets out rules for these works by other persons.\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.4.5 Public roads and tracks will be managed in accordance with a road management strategy for the park and will be maintained to a safe standard but may be closed from time to time to ensure public safety (including seasonal closures due to rain and flood damage) and environmental protection and for cultural and management purposes.\n\n# 10.4.6 Motor vehicles will be restricted to vehicle access roads and vehicle access tracks unless authorised by the Director.\n\n# 10.4.7 The Director may restrict or prohibit the use of vehicle access roads and vehicle access tracks by motor vehicles or a class of motor vehicles (e.g. vehicle weight and size). Such closures will be indicated by appropriate signage at a point or points where a vehicle would ordinarily enter the road or track.\n\n\n\n\nAir access\n\nBackground\n\nBininj/Mungguy use aircraft for wet-season access to isolated communities and outstations and to remote areas for ceremonies. Visitors, commercial interests and service providers also use aircraft to access the park and to undertake a range of activities such as scenic flights, image capture and research. Aircraft, both fixed wing and helicopters, are used by park staff as necessary for management purposes and responding to emergencies.\n\nTo balance the interests of visitors on scenic flights and those on the ground, and to protect the peace and privacy of park residents, the Director, in consultation with the then civil aviation regulator (now Airservices Australia) and local scenic flight operators, developed a Fly Neighbourly Advice (FNA) in 1996, and updated it in 2010 in consultation with industry. The FNA (also known as a Fly Neighbourly Agreement or Policy) describes recommended routes and height and lateral separations for flights over the park, and is included in the En-Route Supplement Australia issued for pilots by Airservices Australia.\n\nUnder the EPBC Regulations (r.12.36) commercial flights operated over the park up to 3,000 metres above sea level (other than flights on approved flight paths to or from an airport) are deemed to be carried on in the park and need to be authorised by a permit or this plan. The Regulations (r.12.58) also prohibit landing and take-off of aircraft in the park except in areas that the Director determines may be used for that purpose (or in an emergency). The definition of ‘aircraft’ in the EPBC Act includes any apparatus that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air, such as gliders, hang-gliders, para-sailers, parachutes and similar equipment. Further policies and actions relating to these activities are in Section 10.7 (Recreational activities).\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.4.8 Aircraft engaged in regular commercial and service delivery activities such as passenger transport, charter operations and medical transport to and from Jabiru or Cooinda airfields may be operated in the airspace over the park up to 3,000 metres above mean sea level without a permit from the Director.\n\n# 10.4.9 Aircraft may be operated for other commercial purposes (such as scenic flights) in the airspace over the park up to 3,000 metres above mean sea level without a permit issued by the Director provided the activity is undertaken in accordance with the Fly Neighbourly Agreement.\n\n# 10.4.10 The Fly Neighbourly Agreement will provide details about the appropriate flying routes and use of aircraft over the park.\n\n# 10.4.11 Permits may be issued for the landing, take-off and operation of aircraft in the park, following consultation with Bininj/Mungguy, for the following purposes:\n\n1. authorised research\n2. authorised image capture\n3. authorised Bininj/Mungguy commercial activities\n4. commercial bushwalking tours or heli-touring ventures\n5. other Bininj/Mungguy activities, including access to isolated outstations and access to remote areas for ceremonies\n6. community events in Jabiru and the park\n7. servicing of telecommunications (consideration may be given to long-term permits)\n8. other purposes as approved by the Board.\n\n# 10.5 Commercial use of resources\n\n#### Background\n\nThe knowledge, use and management of plants and animals are central to Bininj/Mungguy culture. Hunting and gathering enables Bininj/Mungguy to be out on country and to maintain customary traditions. Bininj/Mungguy have been collecting small amounts of native wildlife for commercial return for many years. Various forms of artwork such as paintings, didgeridoos and weavings have been made from plant materials and the production of artwork has become an important industry for Aboriginal people in the Kakadu region.\n\nKakadu National Park includes the estate and the resource base of a number of Aboriginal clan groups and families and the park is a major contributor to their economic future. The ability for Bininj/Mungguy to derive benefit from enterprises established in the park is recognised in the IUCN management principles for the park (see Section 3: General provisions and IUCN category).\n\nBininj/Mungguy, as well as Balanda from outside the park, have shown interest in other types of commercial use of plants and animals. Proposals have included harvesting bush tucker for sale, harvesting crocodile eggs for sale to crocodile farms, and capturing live fish for captive breeding and sale to aquariums and pet shops.\n\nAboriginal cultural practices related to the management and use of wildlife determine who should be asked for permission to take plants and animals in each area and include rules about how much can be taken and at what times of year.\n\nThe Board of Management, while actively supporting Bininj/Mungguy in being able to benefit economically from Kakadu, has emphasised that protection and appropriate presentation of the natural and cultural values of Kakadu in accordance with Australian IUCN protected area category ‘national park’ is paramount, and that all commercial activities would be considered within this context.\n\nUnder ss.354 and 354A of the EPBC Act, commercial taking or harvesting of wildlife may only be carried on in accordance with this plan. The taking of animals and plants protected by Part 13 of the Act must also be in accordance with applicable provisions of Part 13. Activities that involve ‘access to biological resources’ are subject to provisions of the EPBC Act and Regulations dealing with that activity.\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.5.1 Proposals for commercial take or harvest of native plants and animals will only be considered if they satisfy the following criteria:\n\n1. The proposal will not adversely affect the conservation status of the species or native plants and animals or an ecological community.\n2. The proposal must be consistent with Bininj/Mungguy cultural practices, including:\n\n\n1. rules for looking after country properly, making sure the harvest is sustainable, and making sure that people are safe\n2. avoiding adverse impacts on use of wildlife by Bininj/Mungguy for food, ceremonial and religious purposes.\n 1. The proposal must be consulted on and agreed with the relevant Bininj/Mungguy.\n\n\n\n\n\n1. The proposed activities must be carried out by Bininj/Mungguy or Bininj/Mungguy organisations:\n\n\n1. acting alone, or\n2. in partnership with other people under a contract that includes provisions setting the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners and provides for reasonable benefit sharing.\n 1. The proposed activities must be approved by the Board, or be in a class of activities approved by the Board (see Section 10.5.2).\n\n\n# 10.5.2 Proposals for commercial use of native plants and animals will be considered under one of two categories.\n\nCategory A: Small-scale activities or classes of activities. At the commencement of this plan, these activities are:\n\n1. small amounts of pandanus for activities such as basket making\n2. small amounts of wood and plant materials for artefacts\n3. bush tucker collection for interpretation activities\n4. other similar activities or classes of similar activities determined by the Board and permitted by the Director.\n\n\nCategory B: Any other activities or classes of activities that may only be carried on in accordance with a permit issued by the Director, subject to Board approval.\n\nThe Board may amend the list of Category A activities from time to time by amending or deleting activities or classes of activities. Category A activities may be carried on in accordance with harvest levels and conditions determined by the Board and will not require a permit from the Director.\n\n# 10.5.3 In addition to the requirements set out in Policies 10.5.1 and 10.5.2 in considering harvest levels and conditions for Category A activities, and proposals for Category B activities, the Board will consider:\n\n1. consistency of the activity with the conservation of park values (Section 1.4)\n2. consistency of the activity with Australian IUCN Management principles for a national park (Appendix H)\n3. consistency of the activity with principles of ecologically sustainable use\n4. likely impacts on species protected under the EPBC Act or Northern Territory laws\n5. harvest methods, location, extent, timing and frequency of the activity\n6. end use of the resource and consistency of presentation of Kakadu National Park as Aboriginal land and a national park of World Heritage status\n7. visitor and other safety issues\n8. the extent to which the activity will provide opportunities for Bininj/Mungguy\n9. the costs to the Director of managing and monitoring the activity.\n\n\n# 10.5.4 In addition to Section 10.5.3, before making a decision in relation to Category B proposals the Board will require:\n\n1. the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment\n2. the proposal to be made available for public comment.\n\n\n# 10.5.5 The Board may also require:\n\n1. the preparation of a wildlife management plan by the proponent\n2. the proponent to seek approval from an independent Animal Ethics Committee or be required to demonstrate that proposed activities are consistent with animal welfare legislation. For example where a proposal involves activities that may cause stress to an animal such approval will be required,\n\n\n# 10.5.6 The Board will determine harvest levels and conditions for Category A activities, and may review these from time to time.\n\n# 10.5.7 Where the Board agrees that a permit may be issued by the Director under Category B, permit conditions will include the requirement for the proponent to record and report on the species and quantities being collected.\n\n\n\n\n# 10.6 Traditional use of land and water\n\n#### Background\n\nBininj/Mungguy have used the land and its resources for many generations and continue to use many of the park’s natural resources for a wide variety of customary uses. These include the use of plants and animals for food, art and craft and other cultural purposes. The contemporary collection and use of plant and animal resources by Bininj/Mungguy involves using a combination of traditional and contemporary methods and knowledge.\n\nThe deceased remains of traditional Aboriginal owners and long-term Aboriginal residents are often buried in the park. Parks Australia is guided by the views of traditional owners in relation to burials of Aboriginal people. From time to time, non-Aboriginal people request permission to bury or scatter the ashes of a deceased relative in the park. Usually the person has either previously lived here for a long time, has been a regular visitor, or has died while in Kakadu.\n\nSection 359A of the EPBC Act states that the provisions of the Act and Regulations dealing with activities in Commonwealth reserves do not prevent traditional use of land by an Aboriginal person for non-commercial hunting or gathering, provided it is done in accordance with other applicable laws. More generally, s.8 of the Act provides that the Act does not affect the operation of s.211 of the Native Title Act 1993 and s.71 of the Land Rights Act, which provide for traditional use of land, including non-commercial hunting, fishing and gathering, by Aboriginal people.\n\nBininj/Mungguy are concerned that from time to time Aboriginals who do not have traditional rights and have not been authorised under Bininj/Mungguy cultural protocols and practices carry on hunting and gathering in the park. Policies and actions relating to activities being undertaken by the joint management partners to address this are in Section 5.1 (Looking after culture).\n\nHunting in the park by Aboriginal people continued to be a major issue during the life of the fifth plan, and one issue of concern continues to be the use of lead shot. Lead is a toxic substance that can harm humans, wildlife and the environment. The most common lead poisoning in wildlife is considered to be the result of ingestion of spent lead shot.\n\nPossession and use of firearms (and other types of hunting equipment) are prohibited by Regulation 12.18 of the EPBC Regulations unless authorised by this plan or a permit issued by the Director (or where another exemption prescribed by r.12.06 applies).\n\nCommercial use of resources by Bininj/Mungguy is dealt with in Section 10.5 (Commercial use of resources) of this plan.\n\nNorthern Territory laws, including firearms laws, apply in the park in so far as they can operate consistently with the EPBC Act and Regulations.\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.6.1 Bininj/Mungguy traditional owners and other relevant Aboriginals for land in Kakadu may, in accordance with law (e.g. Northern Territory firearms laws), continue traditional use of areas in the park for hunting and food gathering.\n\n# 10.6.2 All persons authorised to possess and use a firearm within the park must possess a valid firearms licence under the Firearms Act (NT) and comply with relevant Northern Territory requirements for the safe use of firearms.\n\n\n\n\n# 10.6.3 Lead shot must not be used in the park.\n\n# 10.6.4 Bininj/Mungguy may continue to use areas in the park for burials (including scattering of ashes) in accordance with their traditional rights. Other Aboriginal people or non-Aboriginal long-term residents of the park may be buried in the park with the approval of traditional owners.\n\n\n# 10.7 Recreational activities\n\n#### Background\n\nA diversity of recreational activities will be fostered and encouraged in the park that present and promote understanding and experience of park values.\n\nAt the time of preparing this plan there are five commercially operated camping areas in and adjacent to Kakadu. The Director operates a further five managed campgrounds, as well as unmanaged and remote campsites across the park with varying levels of facilities. A nightly fee is charged for the use of park-operated campgrounds with facilities. Bush campgrounds don’t have any facilities and are free of charge. During the life of the fifth Plan, four of the commercially operated campgrounds were open in the wet season, but only one of the Director’s managed campgrounds was accessible and usable at this time (see also Section 10.8: Commercial tourism and accommodation).\n\nThe EPBC Regulations (r.12.28) prohibit camping in any area of the park other than camping areas determined by the Director, unless authorised by a permit or otherwise done in accordance with this plan. The camping areas in Kakadu as at 2015 are shown in Figure 16. To enhance visitor satisfaction and to protect park values, a range of measures such as setting limits on numbers of people, introducing booking and permit systems, and setting areas aside for the exclusive use of independent travellers or commercial tour groups may be considered. Policies and actions relating to activities being undertaken by the Director to manage visitor experiences are in Section 6 (Kakadu as a visitor experience destination, commercial tourism and promotion) and Section 5.3 (Managing park-wide threats affecting values). Fees for use of camping areas are determined by the Director under the EPBC Act (s.356A).\n\nFor some visitors, campfires are an inherent part of the camping experience. During the life of the fifth plan, research into the impacts of firewood collection found that most campground areas are depleted of on-ground wood to a radius of 50 metres and found damage to trees and other plants. Under the EPBC Regulations (r.12.30A), fires may only be lit or used in a portable barbecue or stove, a fireplace provided by the Director or a fireplace of a kind provided by the Director, or a place approved by the Director.\n\nMarked walking tracks in the park vary in duration from half an hour to whole-day walks, are of varying difficulty and are located in a range of landscapes including rainforest, lowland woodlands, wetlands, and stone country. Opportunities for overnight bushwalks are provided in the stone country of the park. These are undertaken along unmarked routes that have been identified by Bininj/Mungguy. Due to seasonal flooding, many day walks and overnight bushwalks are inaccessible during the wet season.\n\nUnder the EPBC Regulations, walking off a public road or track is prohibited. During the life of the fifth plan, permits were required for all overnight walks. Daily and/or monthly limits apply on the number of bushwalkers for each of the overnight bushwalking routes.\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.7.1 People may camp (without a permit) at the campgrounds identified in Figure 16 and other campgrounds established under this plan subject to any access restrictions under Section 10.2 (General rules for managing use of the park).\n\n# 10.7.2 The Director may make determinations under the EPBC Regulations to allow campfires in campgrounds, subject to specified conditions.\n\n# 10.7.3 Park visitors may only walk on a vehicle access road or vehicle access track or a track for walking provided by the Director, and subject to any prohibitions or restrictions specified in the Regulations or in an instrument issued by the Director under Section 10.2 (General rules for managing use of the park).\n\n# 10.7.4 Permits may be issued for overnight bushwalking activities using prescribed routes in the park, subject to a range of permit conditions that protect the health and safety of visitors and the natural and cultural values of the park.\n\n# 10.7.5 Permits may be issued to light a fire in areas other than a fireplace provided by the Director when associated with other activities such as bushwalking.\n\n# 10.7.6 Bicycles may only be ridden on vehicle access roads and vehicle access tracks or any track for riding that may be provided by the Director, and subject to any prohibitions or restrictions by the Director under Section 10.2 (General rules for managing use of the park).\n\n# 10.7.7 The following recreational activities may be only be carried on by persons taking part in authorised activities (and instruments will be made as required under Section 10.2 (General rules for managing use of the park) to restrict their use):\n\n1. gliders, ultralight aircraft, hot air balloons and other recreational light aircraft\n2. airboats, amphibious vehicles and hovercraft\n3. non-motorised vessels.\n\n\n# 10.7.8 The following activities are prohibited by the Regulations, and permits will not be authorised to be done under this plan:\n\n1. climbing, abseiling on, or jumping from rock faces\n2. bungee jumping and BASE jumping\n3. hang-gliding, paragliding, and similar activities\n4. recreational shooting and archery. (Note: These activities are allowed at authorised clubs near Jabiru.)\n\n\n# 10.7.9 Scuba diving is prohibited in the park pursuant to r.12.23A of the EPBC Regulations.\n\n# 10.7.10 Subject to the Regulations, other recreational activities may be prohibited in all or parts of the park if considered to pose an unacceptable risk to public safety or park values.\n\n# 10.7.11 Any water bodies in the park that are downstream of the Arnhem Land escarpment that are considered to pose an unacceptable risk to visitors of attack by estuarine crocodiles will be closed to swimming (which includes entering the water) under the EPBC Regulations.\n\n# 10.7.12 Swimming may be prohibited in other areas of the park if impacts to park values or risks to swimmers are considered to be unacceptable.\n\n# 10.7.13 Visitors will be discouraged from disturbing native animals at night, for example by spotlighting.\n\n\n\n\nFigure 16: Camping areas in Kakadu\n\n## Map showing camping areas in the park\n\nRecreational fishing and boating\n\n#### Background\n\nFishing is a major recreational activity in the Top End of the Northern Territory, and Kakadu includes some of the prime recreational fishing areas. Most fishing in the park is undertaken by boat, though opportunities are also taken to fish from the river and creek banks. The catch and release method of fishing is commonly practiced in the park.\n\nUnder ss.354 and 354A of the EPBC Act fishing is an action that can only be carried on in accordance with this plan.\n\nRegulation 12.35 of the EPBC Regulations (which operates subject to ss.354 and 354A of the Act and this plan) allows the Director to make determinations regulating recreational fishing in the park. In addition, other parts of r.12.35 and other Regulations prohibit certain fishing practices. EPBC Regulation 12.35(4) prohibits taking fish by any method other than with a hook or a lure. As a result, it is not legal to catch fish with a net in Kakadu, including small fish for bait. Hand-held landing nets are permitted in the park under 12.35(4) provided that they are only used to land a fish caught on a hook or fishing lure attached to a line.\n\nRegulation 12.35(5) prohibits the use of a live animal as bait for fishing, and the use of any native species as bait except fish. Regulation 12.19 prohibits bringing an animal into a Commonwealth reserve, dead or alive, which means that it is not legal to bring fish or other animals into Kakadu for use as bait. Regulation 12.35 prohibits the cleaning of fish within 50 metres of any waterway within the park. Fish cleaning facilities are provided at a safe distance from the water’s edge at the South Alligator River and East Alligator River boat ramps, mainly to reduce the risk of crocodiles being attracted to these boat ramp areas.\n\nRegulation 12.18 prohibits the use in Commonwealth reserves of spear guns and other weapons and devices, including any device that can be used, or is designed, for taking an animal other than a hook and a line for catching a fish or a hand-held net designed to land a fish caught on a hook and a line.\n\nNorthern Territory laws, including laws regulating fishing, apply in the park in so far as they can operate consistently with the EPBC Act and Regulations and this plan.\n\nRegulation 12.56 enables the Director to control the use of vessels in the park including where vessels can and cannot be used, speed of vessels, number of vessels, and where vessels may be launched, anchored or moored.\n\nPolicies and actions relating to activities being undertaken by the Director to manage recreational fishing are in Section 6.1 (Kakadu as a visitor experience destination).\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.7.14 Determinations may be made to prohibit or regulate recreational fishing in areas of the park.\n\n# 10.7.15 Determinations may be made to prohibit or regulate the use of vessels in the park including, but not limited to:\n\n1. speed limits\n2. maximum number and classes of vessels allowed in an area of water\n3. areas of water where a vessel or class of vessels is prohibited\n4. requirements to use designated mooring or launching sites.\n\n\n# 10.7.16 Determinations in effect at the commencement of the plan that relate to recreational fishing and/or the use of vessels in the park will continue to apply unless varied by a future determination.\n\n# 10.7.17 Subject to:\n\n1. any decision by the Board under Section 10.7.18;\n2. the conditions specified in Sections 10.7.19 and 10.7.21;\n3. any determination made by the Director under r.12.35 of the EPBC Regulations; or\n4. any licensing system that may be introduced to manage recreational fishing in the park,\n\n\nrecreational fishing may be carried out in accordance with:\n\n1. Northern Territory fisheries laws (at the time of preparation of this plan the, Fisheries Act), including possession and size limits (to the extent capable of operating concurrently with this plan); and\n2. Northern Territory possession and size limits in the Daly and Mary rivers (to the extent capable of operating concurrently with this plan)\n\n\n# 10.7.18 If the Board considers it is necessary to more closely manage the impact of recreational fishing the activity will require a permit or other authorisation from the Director.\n\n# 10.7.19 Recreational fishing activities must be carried on in accordance with the following conditions:\n\n1. processed bait may be transported through the park but must not be used in the park\n2. crabs must not be taken\n3. recreational fishing competitions may be held in accordance with a permit or licence issued by the Director under the park events policy.\n\n\n# 10.7.20 Recreational boating and commercial sports fishing tour operations may be carried on in the park in accordance with the Policies relevant to those activities.\n\n# 10.7.21 Nets, traps and pots used lawfully for recreational fishing outside the park, and any fish (this does not include crabs) caught lawfully outside the park may be transported into or through the park along the Oenpelli Road, Old Jim Jim Road, Arnhem Highway and Kakadu Highway, or the South or East Alligator rivers downstream of boat access, if securely stowed, covered and not ready for use; and may be allowed in other areas of the park in accordance with a permit issued by the Director, subject to conditions approved by the Board (and following consultation with recreational fishing stakeholders).\n\n\n# 10.8 Commercial tourism and accommodation\n\nCommercial tourism\n\n#### Background\n\nWell-managed commercial tour operations help visitors to experience, enjoy and learn about the park while providing an important contribution to the local and regional economies. Between 40 and 60 per cent of visitors to Kakadu, depending on the season, visit the park with commercial tour operators. The majority of these visitors are from overseas. In addition, many independent travellers participate in boat cruises, scenic flights and other commercial tours while in Kakadu.\n\nA number of commercial tour activities are also undertaken by Bininj/Mungguy and Bininj/Mungguy organisations. The Regulations generally provide for exemption from permit fees for such permit holders.\n\nSpecific management guidelines have been introduced or proposed for some visitor destinations that are relatively small and environmentally or culturally sensitive. These guidelines include setting limits on the number of visitors or tour operators that can access or camp in these areas. Some areas have been set aside for the use of independent travellers. During the life of the fifth plan, a number of sites were not available for use by commercial tours and others had restricted access. A small number of local tour operators have negotiated benefit-sharing agreements with Bininj/Mungguy through the NLC, under which tour groups gain access to areas that are generally not open to the public.\n\nTour guide training and business accreditation continue to be an important element of managing commercial tourism in the park. In 2006 compulsory training was introduced for tour guides to gain certification to operate in Kakadu. The training is based on core competencies related to the interpretation of cultural and natural values, minimising visitor impact and understanding permit conditions, and is delivered flexibly via online learning or face-to-face. Industry-based accreditation has also been introduced as a requirement for tour operators with a tourism licence for unique and exclusive commercial activities. Other tour operators are encouraged to undertake voluntary accreditation through provision of incentives such as extended tenure for permits.\n\nUnder ss.354 and 354A of the EPBC Act commercial operations can only be carried on in accordance with a management plan. Commercial tour operators in Kakadu must also comply with relevant Northern Territory legislation – e.g. licensing of fishing tour operators and registration of tour vehicles. Fees for commercial tour permits required by this plan are set out in the EPBC Regulations. Under the fifth plan, permits for standard land-based tours were issued on an annual basis. Permit and licence conditions were substantially revised during the life of the fifth plan in consultation with the Kakadu Tourism Consultative Committee.\n\nFor commercial tourism in particular, the decision on whether a permit, sublease or licence is most appropriate for any proposed new activity application will be based on the following principles:\n\n A commercial tourism activity will require a permit if it is a routine or standard activity in areas of the park that are generally open to the public without a limit on numbers.\n\n If a tourism activity is limited by type, location or number of operators or involves exclusive use of a site, or the nature of activity has potential environmental impacts, then the activity will operate under a tourism licence. Licences are usually issued with a minimum five-year term.\n\n\n\n\n If long-term use of a building or area of land is required then it is likely that a licence to occupy or sublease will be required.\n\n#### Policies and actions relating to activities being undertaken by the Director to manage commercial tourism are in Sections 5.3 (Managing park-wide threats affecting values – Land use), 6.2 (Commercial tourism development and management) and 9.3 (Authorising and managing activities).\n\n#### Policies\n\n# 10.8.1 Commercial tour operations may be undertaken in the park in accordance with a permit, commercial activity licence, occupation licence, sublease or lease issued by the Director.\n\n# 10.8.2 A commercial tourism activity will be authorised by a permit if it is a routine or standard activity in or to areas of the park that are generally open to the public without a limit on numbers. If a tourism activity is limited by type, location or number of operators or involves exclusive use of a site then the activity will be authorised by a commercial activity licence. If an operation requires long-term use of a building or area it may be authorised by a licence to occupy, sublease or lease as appropriate to the circumstances.\n\n# 10.8.3 Some commercial tourism authorisations will be reserved for enterprises that Bininj/Mungguy own or part-own or where legally binding employment and/or benefit-sharing arrangements are in place between the enterprise and Bininj/Mungguy. Some areas in the park may also be reserved for enterprises owned or part-owned by Bininj/Mungguy.\n\n# 10.8.4 If approved by the Board, use of motherships for commercial fishing tours may be authorised by a commercial activity licence arrangement.\n\n# 10.8.5 Night-time boat tours will generally not be allowed unless approved by the Board.\n\n# 10.8.6 Land-based spotlighting activities will generally not be allowed unless approved by the Board.\n\n# 10.8.7 Event licences may be issued for public gatherings of more than 15 persons, subject to consultation with Bininj/Mungguy where required.\n\n# 10.8.8 All tour guides operating in Kakadu will be required to complete the Kakadu Knowledge for Tour Guides course (or its successor).\n\n# 10.8.9 It will continue to be compulsory to have industry-based accreditation to conduct tour operations, except for standard tours conducted under a one-year permit. All tour operators will continue to be encouraged to take up industry-based accreditation through incentives.\n\n\n\n\nCommercial accommodation\n\n#### Background\n\nDarwin and Katherine are the major population centres in the vicinity of Kakadu. Within the park, Jabiru, South Alligator and Cooinda are the main visitor accommodation hubs, offering various types of accommodation and suiting a range of budgets. Camping facilities are also available within the park (see Section 10.7: Recreational activities). Three Aboriginal organisations currently own or have interests in commercial accommodation in or adjacent to Kakadu.\n\nConsistent with the environmentally sustainable development of the park and region, there are opportunities to develop and improve commercial accommodation within the park. All new commercial accommodation proposals should aim for good environmental design including efficient resource use, meet workplace health and safety requirements and relevant building codes and take account of access for all members of the public, including those with disabilities.\n\nThe Director may grant leases, subleases and licences to use and occupy land in the park for the purpose of commercial accommodation only in accordance with this plan (s.358 EPBC Act).\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.8.10 Commercial accommodation facilities may be established and operated in the park on areas occupied under a lease, sublease or occupation licence granted by the Director with the approval of the Board and consistent with Section 9.5 (Assessment of proposals).\n\n\n\n\n# 10.9 Filming and photography (and other commercial image capture)\n\n#### Background\n\nEach year many people from Australia and overseas seek to carry out commercial filming, photography and audio recording in Kakadu. Imagery and sound materials are used for the production of documentaries about the cultural and natural significance of the park, tourism and travel promotion materials, reference books and other publications. In addition, commercial media use images and sound in news reports about the park.\n\nUnder ss.354 and 354A of the EPBC Act commercial filming, photography and audio recording can only be carried on in accordance with this plan. The increasing use of social media presents a more challenging environment to regulate compared with traditional media of commercial filming and photography.\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.9.1 Commercial filming, photography and other image capture, including artwork, and audio recording may be carried on in the park and images of the park may be used for commercial gain:\n\n1. in accordance with\n\n\n1. any information or guidance material approved by the Board under Section 6.3.4\n2. a permit issued by the Director or other authorisation arrangements approved by the Board\n3. payment of applicable fees\n\n\n1. where the activity is consistent with the protection and/or promotion of the park’s values and/or promotes the park in a positive manner as a World Heritage listed visitor destination.\n\n\n# 10.9.2 Members of the media and media organisations will not require a permit for the commercial capture of images or sound recording in connection with reporting news/events of the day but will require approval from the Director. In issuing approvals the Director will consider the number of crews that can be accommodated in the park at any one time, taking into account cultural and environmental sensitivities.\n\n\n\n\n# 10.10 Commercial fishing\n\n#### Background\n\nCommercial fishing and crabbing have not been allowed in the park since 1990. Limited transport through the park of crabs caught by commercial crabbers outside the boundaries of the park was allowed during the life of the fifth plan.\n\nUnder s.354 and 354A of the EPBC Act fishing and commercial activities are actions that can only be carried on in accordance with this plan. Northern Territory laws, including laws regulating fishing, apply in the park in so far as they can operate consistently with the EPBC Act and Regulations and this plan.\n\nRecreational fishing in the park is dealt with in Section 10.7 (Recreational activities).\n\nRegulation 12.56 enables the Director to control the use of vessels in the park including where vessels can and cannot be used, speed of vessels, number of vessels, and where vessels may be launched, anchored or moored. See Section 10.7.14.\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.10.1 Subject to Sections 10.10.2 and 10.10.3 commercial fishing (including crabbing) activities are not allowed in the park and commercial fishing vessels may enter the park for emergency purposes only.\n\n# 10.10.2 Commercial fishing vessels authorised under Northern Territory fisheries laws to operate in Cooper Creek (Arnhem Land) may transit the park on the East Alligator River between the mouth of the river and the mouth of Cooper Creek in accordance with a permit issued by the Director. Permit conditions will include:\n\n1. fish, crabs, nets, traps, dinghies and other equipment may be transported provided they are securely stowed (covered and not ready for use) in the mothership at all times while in the park\n2. tenders must be towed behind motherships and not be used for the transport of fish products, nets and other equipment.\n\n\n# 10.10.3 Fish and crabs caught for commercial purposes outside the park, and nets, traps and other equipment used for the purposes of commercial fishing, may be transported into or through the park along the Oenpelli Road, Arnhem Highway and Kakadu Highway, in accordance with a permit issued by the Director.\n\n\n\n\n# 10.11 Infrastructure and works\n\n#### Background\n\nPolicies and actions relating to activities being undertaken by the Director to manage park infrastructure and capital works are in Section 9.4 (Capital works and infrastructure).\n\nSome infrastructure within the park is established and maintained by other Government agencies, Aboriginal associations, and commercial operations.\n\nSections 354 and 354A of the EPBC Act prohibits the Director and other persons carrying on an excavation, erecting a building or other structure, or carrying out works in the park except in accordance with this plan.\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.11.1 Proposals from third parties relating to works etc. on new and existing infrastructure will be assessed in accordance with Section 9.5 (Assessment of proposals).\n\n# 10.11.2 The Northern Territory Government and Aboriginal organisations carrying out authorised road works may, for the purposes of those works:\n\n1. extract sand, gravel and other earth materials\n2. bring inert treated crushed rock into the park\n\n\n# in accordance with an agreement with the Director or authorisation issued by the Director.\n\n# 10.11.3 Excavation of sand, gravel and other earth materials from within the park will be allowable for infrastructure development purposes in accordance with a permit issued by the Director and assessed through Section 9.5 (Assessment of proposals), ensuring minimal impact to park values and the rehabilitation of these areas following extraction.\n\n# 10.11.4 A person may carry on an excavation, erect a building or other structure, or carry out works in the park to develop and maintain capital works and infrastructure in accordance with other parts of Section 9 of this plan, and:\n\n1. in accordance with a sublease or licence granted by the Director (see Section 10.1: Authorisation of allowable activities)\n2. in connection with Jabiru (see Section 8.2: Jabiru)\n3. in connection with Bininj/Mungguy living areas (see Section 8.1: Outstations and living on country)\n4. in accordance with a permit or approval issued by the Director.\n\n\n# 10.11.5 Timber, including preservative treated pine, may be brought into the park and used for authorised capital works and infrastructure projects.\n\n# 10.11.6 Third parties who undertake capital works and infrastructure development and other works must meet the costs of any rehabilitation required as a result of the works.\n\n\n\n\n# 10.12 Research and monitoring activities and access to genetic resources\n\n#### Background\n\nResearch and monitoring activities in Kakadu National Park are prohibited by r.12.10 of the EPBC Regulations unless authorised by this plan. Research and monitoring that involves actions which affect members of native species or is undertaken for commercial purposes is prohibited by ss.354 and 354A of the EPBC Act unless done in accordance with this plan. Actions that affect species protected by Part 13 of the Act may be authorised by this plan and will not need further authorisation under Part 13.\n\nResearch that involves access to biological resources in Commonwealth areas (taking biological resources for research and development on their genetic or biochemical components), is covered by provisions of the EPBC Act and Regulations relating to that activity (at the time of preparing this plan, Part 8A of the EPBC Regulations). Under those provisions, which operate subject to this plan, a permit is required for the activity. Table 6 sets out the key requirements of the provisions as they relate to the park.\n\nThe prescriptions in this section enable research and monitoring activities to be undertaken, and the continuation of any research involving the taking of native species that was previously approved under s.359B of the EPBC Act.\n\nParks Australia and the Kakadu Research and Management Advisory Committee have developed research guidelines that outline how Bininj/Mungguy want to work with researchers. These guidelines serve as a basis for all future research conducted in the park as part of the research permitting process followed by Parks Australia. Indigenous research protocols are also being developed to ensure research incorporates Bininj/Mungguy knowledge and perspectives and provides opportunities for collaboration with and employment for Bininj/Mungguy.\n\nPolicies and actions relating to activities being undertaken by the Director to manage research and monitoring are in Section 7 (Research and knowledge management).\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.12.1 A person may carry out research and monitoring, including taking actions covered by the EPBC Act ss.354 and 354A and Part 13 of the EPBC Act, under an agreement with the Director or in accordance with a permit issued by the Director, and in accordance with the other prescriptions in this Section.\n\n# 10.12.2 All research conducted in Kakadu must have ethics approval where relevant, be undertaken in accordance with research guidelines approved by the Board, and be consistent with the Indigenous research protocols for the park, which includes protocols for Bininj/Mungguy engagement in research.\n\n# 10.12.3 In considering research proposals, consideration will be given to the nature and potential impacts of the actions, the aim of the project, ethical issues and how knowledge from the project might benefit the understanding and management of park values.\n\n# 10.12.4 Research and monitoring will focus on filling strategic knowledge gaps, and alignment with the research priorities for the park will be a key consideration in assessing research proposals.\n\n# 10.12.5 The Supervising Scientist and ERISS may carry out research and monitoring, including actions covered by ss.354 and 354A and Part 13 of the EPBC Act, in accordance with protocols agreed with the Director and approved by the Board.\n\n# 10.12.6 Research and monitoring may only be carried out for commercial purposes if approved by the Board (generally or in relation to a particular research and monitoring activity) and under a permit from the Director.\n\n# 10.12.7 Research and monitoring may be authorised if the Director is satisfied:\n\n1. the project activities will not have an unacceptable impact on park values\n2. the project will be conducted in a manner not inconsistent with achieving the objectives of this management plan.\n\n\n# 10.12.8 Persons carrying out research and monitoring under agreement with or permit from the Director must make data and results of research and monitoring available to the Director, including progress reports for longer-term research, in a specified format including plain English summaries for Bininj/Mungguy and staff. The Director may make such information available to park users and other interested parties.\n\n# 10.12.9 Extractive research and monitoring activities (collection of rock and soil samples) may be authorised if the Director is satisfied:\n\n1. the activities are not inconsistent with the other prescriptions in this Section\n2. the research is not for the purpose of mining operations.\n\n\n# 10.12.10 A person may have access to biological resources in accordance with the relevant provisions of the EPBC Act and Regulations relating to the activity, in addition to the other applicable Policies in this Section.\n\n\nTable 6: Key EPBC requirements for access to biological resources as they concern the park\n\n| 1. Any person who wants to access biological resources must obtain a permit from the Minister for the Environment. |\n| --- |\n| 2. The ‘access provider’ must agree to the taking of biological resources. The access provider for Aboriginal land in Kakadu is the relevant land trust, and for non-Aboriginal land it is the Director. |\n| 3. Where access is sought for commercial purposes or potential commercial purposes:
there must be a benefit-sharing agreement with the relevant access provider the benefit-sharing agreement must provide for reasonable benefit-sharing arrangements, including protection for, recognition of, and valuing of any Indigenous people’s knowledge that is to be used where access is sought to Aboriginal land in the park the relevant land trust must give ‘informed consent’ to the benefit-sharing agreement, after the traditional owners of the land have been consulted and the views of the NLC obtained. |\n| 4. Where access is sought for non-commercial purposes:
written permission must be obtained from the relevant access provider a statutory declaration must be given to the access provider declaring, among other things, that any biological resources taken are not intended to be used for commercial purposes; that a written report will be given to the access provider on the results of any research into the biological resources; that samples will not be given to other people (other than a specified research institution) without permission of the access provider; and that the person(s) given access will not carry out, or allow others to carry out, commercial research or development unless a benefit-sharing agreement is in place with the access provider. |\n| 5. There must be an assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed access if it is likely to have more than negligible environmental impact. |\n\n\n \n\n\n# 10.13 Bringing plants, animals and other materials into the park\n\n#### Background\n\nThe natural and cultural values of Kakadu are important to Bininj/Mungguy, visitors and other stakeholders, and ensuring the park’s values are well managed and healthy is a key aspect of this plan. The introduction of new plants and animals into the park has the potential to seriously impact these values if not appropriately managed.\n\nUnder ss.354 and 354A of the EPBC Act, a person may not kill, injure, take, trade, keep or move a member of a native species except in accordance with a management plan. The EPBC Regulations also prohibit bringing animals and plants into the park and cultivating plants in the park, except with the approval of the Director.\n\nRegulation 12.19 of the EPBC Regulations prohibits bringing into or keeping animals in the park, except in accordance with this plan or a permit issued by the Director. This prohibition does not apply to guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs for the deaf, and other assistance animals for people with disabilities.\n\nRegulations 12.20 and 12.21 prohibit bringing plants into the park or cultivating plants, except in accordance with this plan or a permit from the Director, or in an area held under lease, sublease or occupation licence from the Director. Jabiru residents may bring in and cultivate plants if they are on the Approved Plant List determined by the Director.\n\nPolicies\n\n# 10.13.1 Rock, soil, sand, mulch or other similar materials may be brought into or transported through the park in accordance with a permit issued by the Director. Import of sterilised potting mix for non-commercial purposes will not require a permit, and import for commercial purposes may occur with the approval of the Director.\n\n# 10.13.2 The Director may approve others (through licence, contract or other form of approval) to bring inert treated crushed rock into the park for the purpose of road works.\n\n# 10.13.3 In accordance with EPBC Regulations, bringing in firewood from outside the park is not permitted. The Director may put in place alternative arrangements for collecting firewood in and transporting firewood through the park.\n\n# 10.13.4 Plants and seeds may be brought into Jabiru without a permit provided they are on the Approved Plant List for the park as maintained by the Director (see also Section 7: Living in the park). A permit may be issued by the Director to bring plants or seeds into Jabiru where the relevant species does not appear on the Approved Plant List.\n\n# 10.13.5 Plants and seeds may be brought into other areas of the park without a permit or other authorisation provided they are on the Approved Plant List for the park.\n\n# 10.13.6 Native animals may be brought into the park or transported through the park in accordance with a permit issued by the Director.\n\n# 10.13.7 Non-native animals may be brought into or taken through the park in accordance with a permit issued by the Director.\n\n\n\n\n# 10.13.8 The entry of dogs to the park with visitors will be restricted to guide dogs for the vision and hearing impaired, or an assistance animal used by a person with a disability. Permits to bring dogs in for other purposes will only be considered in exceptional circumstances or as otherwise approved by the Board.\n\n# 10.13.9 Cats must not be brought into or kept in the park, including in Jabiru or at outstations, under any circumstances, and permits will not be issued.\n\n# 10.13.10 Park staff and residents (including in Jabiru) may keep dogs in accordance with general approval issued by the Director.\n\n# Note: Additional requirements apply under Section 10.3.15 in relation to keeping dogs in Jabiru.\n\n# 10.13.11 Park staff, Jabiru residents and residents within lease areas will only be permitted to keep fish native to and collected from the Magela Creek system in home aquariums and ponds. Permits may be issued to collect specimens for this purpose within sustainable limits, and fish must not be sold or traded.\n\n# 10.13.12 No other animals (native or non-native) are allowed to be brought into or kept in the park, including in Jabiru, except in accordance with a permit issued by the Director, which will only be issued in exceptional circumstances or as otherwise approved by the Board.\n\n# 10.13.13 Registered wildlife carers may keep native animals caught in the park only for the purposes of rehabilitation and release back into their natural habitat.\n\n# 10.13.14 To minimise the risk of introducing diseases into the park, injured or orphaned animals that are taken out of the park will not be allowed to be returned to the park except with the Director’s approval.\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nAppendices\n\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n\n\n# Appendix A\n\n# World Heritage attributes of Kakadu National Park\n\nThe Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage 1972 (World Heritage Convention) is concerned with identifying, protecting and conserving cultural or natural features of outstanding universal value. Kakadu is listed as a World Heritage area under the following cultural and natural criteria.\n\nCultural criteria\n\nCriterion (i) Masterpiece of human creative genius\n\nThe rock art sites of Kakadu National Park represent a unique artistic achievement, spanning a continuum tens of thousands of years to the present and continuing to maintain an important function in the cultural and social aspects of contemporary Indigenous communities. The World Heritage values include rock art sites which:\n\n in themselves represent a unique artistic achievement and which comprise one of the greatest concentrations of rock art in the world;\n\n are of great antiquity and which represent a continuous temporal span from the Pleistocene Epoch to the present;\n\n exhibit great diversity, both in space and through time, yet embody a continuous cultural development; and\n\n demonstrate in the record of the art sites a living cultural tradition which continues today.\n\nCriterion (vi) Directly associated with events or living traditions\n\nKakadu National Park is associated with events, ideas and beliefs of outstanding universal significance. The World Heritage values include cultural sites which:\n\n form a rich collection of places imbued with strong spiritual associations relating to creator beings and are connected to the continuing practice of traditional beliefs and practices;\n\n demonstrate in the art and the archaeological record a living cultural tradition that continues today;\n\n are of great antiquity and represent a continuous temporal span from the Pleistocene Epoch to the present;\n\n include archaeological sites which are currently some of the oldest dated within Australia;\n\n exhibit great diversity, both in space and through time, yet embody a continuous cultural development;\n\n preserve a record, not only in the form of archaeological sites but also through rock art, of human responses and adaptation to major environmental change including rising sea levels; and\n\n preserve fragile items of material culture not commonly found within other archaeological sites.\n\n\n\n\nNatural criteria\n\nCriterion (vii) Contains superlative natural phenomena\n\nKakadu National Park has features of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance and contains superlative natural phenomena. The World Heritage values include:\n\n the expansive and varied natural landscapes which include coastal areas, lowlands, wetlands, floodplains, plateau complexes, escarpments and outliers;\n\n the exceptional natural beauty of viewfields;\n\n the relatively undisturbed nature of the landscape;\n\n the unusual mix and diversity of habitats found in close proximity; and\n\n the large scale of undisturbed landscape.\n\nCriterion (ix) Outstanding examples of ongoing evolution\n\nKakadu National Park is an outstanding example representing significant ongoing geological processes, particularly associated with the effects of sea-level change in northern Australia, biological evolution and people’s interaction with their natural environment. The World Heritage values include:\n\n the coastal riverine and estuarine flood plains of the South Alligator, West Alligator, East Alligator, and Wildman rivers, which include freshwater flood plains with tidal river channels;\n\n the relatively undisturbed nature of the river systems and their associated catchments;\n\n the mangrove swamps, including remnants of more extensive swamps which formed between 6,500 and 7,000 years ago on the coastal fringe and plains;\n\n the spatial zonation of the coastal and floodplain vegetation which exemplifies a vegetation succession linked to processes of sea-level change and sedimentation and extends from lower intertidal mangroves to estuarine mangroves to floodplain vegetation;\n\n the range of the environmental gradients and contiguous, diverse landscapes, extending from the sandstone plateaus and escarpments through lowland areas and wetlands to the coast, which have contributed to the evolution of high levels of endemism and species diversity;\n\n the scale and integrity of the landscapes and environments with extensive and relatively unmodified vegetation cover and largely intact faunal composition which are important in relation to ongoing evolutionary processes in an intact landscape;\n\n the high spatial heterogeneity of habitats;\n\n the high diversity and abundance of plant and animal species, many of which are adapted to low-nutrient conditions (including more than 1,600 plant species, over one-quarter of Australia’s known terrestrial mammal, about one-third of the total bird fauna and freshwater fish species, about 15 per cent of Australia reptile and amphibian species and a high diversity of insect species);\n\n\n\n\n the Aboriginal archaeological remains and rock art which represent an outstanding example of people’s interaction with the natural environment and bear remarkable and valuable witness to past environments in northern Australia and to the interaction of people with these environments;\n\n the ongoing, active management of the landscapes by Aboriginal people through the use of fire, including fire-assisted hunting and the creation of environmental mosaics which contribute to species diversity, provide an important example of people’s interaction with the environment: and\n\n the diverse range of habitats and vegetation types including:\n\n- open forest and woodlands\n\n- lowland and sandstone (Allosyncarpa ternata closed forest) rainforests\n\n- shrubland and heath\n\n- wetland, riverine, and coastal environments\n\n- mangroves and floodplains.\n\nCriterion (x) Important habitats for conservation of biological diversity\n\nKakadu National Park’s large size, its diversity of habitats and its position in an area of northern Australia subjected to considerably less disturbance by European settlement than many other parts of the continent have resulted in the protection and conservation of many significant habitats, including those where threatened species of plants and animals of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science and conservation still survive.\n\nThe World Heritage values include:\n\n the wide range of natural habitats, including:\n\n- open forest and woodlands\n\n- monsoon rainforest areas\n\n- heaths and shrublands\n\n- freshwater wetlands\n\n- mangrove and estuarine areas\n\n- foreshore and beach areas.\n\n significant plant associations, including those associated with Eucalyptus koolpinensis, the heath vegetation on the margins of the Marrawal Plateau, and woodland containing Terminalia platyptera on Snake Plains;\n\n plant species of conservation significance (including endemic species and relict species) such as Arthrochilus byrnessii, Cycas conferta, Desmodium sp. 2, Eucalyptus koolpinensis, Hildegardia australiensis, Micraira spp., Neobyrnesia suberosa, Pityrodia spp., Plectrachne aristiglumis, Triodia radonensis, Typhonium russell-smithii;\n\n\n\n\n animal species of conservation significance, including:\n\n- mammals (such as Calaby’s mouse Pseudomys calabyi, Kakadu dunnart Sminthopsis sp. Nov., nabarlek Petrogale concinna, false water rat Xeromys myoides, golden backed tree rat Mesembriomys macrurus, and ghost bat Macroderma gigas);\n\n- reptiles (such as the pig-nosed turtle Carettochelys insculpta, Pacific or olive ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea, green turtle Chelonia mydas, loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta, saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus and freshwater crocodile C. johnstoni);\n\n- birds (such as the Gouldian finch Erythrura gouldiae, partridge pigeon Geophaps smithii, hooded parrot Psephotus dissimilis, little tern Sterna albifrons, masked owl - northern subspecies Tyto novaehollandiae kimberli and red goshawk Erythrotriorchis radiatus);\n\n- invertebrates (such as crustaceans of the plateau and escarpment streams, especially the families Amphisopodidae, Atyidae and Palaemonidae);\n\n- fish (such as two newly discovered taxa of goby, including the new genus Cryptocentrus, and a speartooth shark Gyphis sp);\n\n species which have experienced range reductions (such as the magpie goose Anseranas semipalmata, Gouldian finch Erythrura gouldiae, partridge pigeon Petrophassa smithii, pale field rat Rattus tunneyi and Leichhardt’s grasshopper Petasida ephippigera); and\n\n endemic species and relict species (including the ghost bat Macroderma gigas, the orange horseshoe bat Rhinonicteris aurantius, saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus, freshwater crocodile C. johnstoni, and the pignosed turtle Carettochelys insculpta).\n\n# Appendix B\n\n# Ramsar criteria\n\nThe whole of Kakadu National Park is listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. The Kakadu National Park Ramsar site meets all nine of the listing criteria.\n\nCriterion 1: The wetland types occurring within the Ramsar site are representative of types found in the bioregion. In particular, the floodplains are outstanding examples of their types in the Timor Sea Drainage Division of the monsoon tropics. Field Island is also particularly notable as it represents a remarkably high level of habitat diversity within a relatively small area.\n\nCriterion 2: Kakadu National Park supports numerous nationally threatened species, notably the yellow chat, pig-nosed turtle, speartooth shark, northern river shark and flatback turtle.\n\nCriterion 3: The Ramsar site has a rich biological diversity representative of the region. In particular, 59 fish species are known from the wetland, including eight with narrowly restricted ranges. Sixty-one mammal species and 105 reptile species have been recorded in the Ramsar site. Kakadu National Park also supports four regionally endemic wetland-dependent flora species and four regionally endemic fish species.\n\nCriterion 4: Large numbers of waterbirds breed within Kakadu National Park. Significant breeding groups of magpie geese occur throughout the floodplains of the site, with the South Alligator floodplains regarded as the third most important area of nesting habitat after the Mary–Adelaide and Daly River floodplains. Additionally, the permanent wetlands within the site (particularly billabongs) provide a dry season refuge for a variety of species including waterbirds, reptiles such as crocodiles and freshwater turtle, and freshwater fish.\n\nCriterion 5: Between August and October up to 2.5 million waterbirds accumulate on the floodplains of Kakadu National Park. In particular, large concentrations of magpie geese and wandering whistling-duck occur in the Ramsar site in places such as the Nourlangie floodplain.\n\nCriterion 6: Kakadu National Park supports more than one per cent of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway population, of the following waterbirds: magpie goose, wandering whistling-duck, plumed whistling-duck, Radjah shelduck, pacific black duck, grey teal, brolga, black-necked stork, marsh sandpiper, little curlew, common sandpiper, Australian pratincole and sharp-tailed sandpiper.\n\nCriterion 7: Fifty-nine freshwater fish species have been recorded in Kakadu National Park. This represents approximately 20 per cent of the total number of fish species found in Australian freshwaters and is the highest species richness of any catchment in the Timor Sea Drainage Division\n\nCriterion 8: Kakadu National Park provides important habitats, feeding areas, dispersal and migratory pathways, and spawning sites for numerous fish species of direct and indirect fisheries significance.\n\nCriterion 9: The Ramsar site supports one per cent of the population of the following species: northern river shark, speartooth shark, pig-nosed turtle and saltwater crocodile.\n\nFurther information regarding Kakadu National Park’s Ramsar values can be found in the site Ramsar Information Sheet and Ecological Character Description, available from [www.environment.gov.au/water/wetlands/ramsar](http://www.environment.gov.au/water/wetlands/ramsar).\n\n\n\n\n# Appendix C\n\n# International agreements\n\nThis management plan takes into account Australia’s obligations under international agreements that are relevant to Kakadu National Park.\n\nUnited Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples\n\nOn 3 April 2009 the Australian Government announced its support for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Although the Declaration is non-binding and does not affect existing Australian law, it does set important international principles for nations to aspire to, and many of its provisions are grounded in the core human rights treaties to which Australia is a party.\n\nConvention on Biological Diversity\n\nAustralia is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which requires parties to pursue the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources. Article 8 of the convention identifies that parties should ‘establish a system of protected areas or areas where special measures need to be taken to conserve biodiversity’. The establishment and management of the Kakadu National Park contributes to meeting Australia’s obligations under the CBD.\n\nThe Nagoya Protocol\n\nIn October 2010 the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization. Australia signed the protocol in January 2012, and is committed to its full implementation and ratification.\n\nThe protocol establishes an internationally recognised framework for access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge for research activities and sharing the benefits from their use. Access to biological resources in Commonwealth areas such as the park is regulated under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and EPBC Regulations 2000 (see also 8.11: Research and monitoring activities and access to genetic resources).\n\nWorld Heritage Convention\n\nAustralia is a party to the World Heritage Convention, which aims to promote cooperation among nations to protect heritage that is of such outstanding universal value that its conservation is important for current and future generations. The convention’s primary mission is to define and conserve the world’s heritage by drawing up a list of sites whose outstanding values should be preserved for all humanity and to ensure their protection through a closer cooperation among nations.\n\nParties to the convention undertake to identify, protect, conserve, present and transmit to future generations the World Heritage listed sites on their territory. The operational guidelines for implementing the World Heritage Convention include requirements that each World Heritage area should have a management plan and should have adequate long-term legislative protection.\n\nStage One of the park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981 and Stage Two in 1987. The whole of the park was listed in December 1992. Kakadu is one of the few sites that are listed under the World Heritage Convention for both cultural and natural values. Appendix A to this plan summarises the features of Kakadu that meet the cultural and natural World Heritage criteria.\n\nWorld Heritage management principles are prescribed by the EPBC Regulations (Schedule 5). An extract from the principles is at Appendix A to this plan.\n\nConvention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat 1971 (Ramsar Convention)\n\nThis international agreement is more commonly known as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and originally aimed to conserve and wisely use wetlands primarily as habitat for waterbirds. Over the years, the Ramsar Convention’s scope has broadened to cover all aspects of wetland conservation and wise use, recognising that wetland ecosystems are important for both biodiversity conservation and the well-being of human communities.\n\nTo achieve its aims, the Ramsar Convention requires international cooperation, policy making, capacity building and technology transfer from its members. All wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention are recognised as matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act. As such, approval is required for actions that will have, or are likely to have a significant impact on the ecological character of a Ramsar-listed wetland.\n\nSites are selected for the List of Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention because of ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological or hydrological importance.\n\nKakadu National Park was previously two separate Ramsar sites. The wetlands of Stage 1 of Kakadu were first listed in June 1980 and the Ramsar site was later extended to include the wetlands of Stage 3 of the park that fall within the South Alligator River catchment in 1996. The wetlands in Stage 2 of the park were first listed as a Wetland if International Importance in September 1989. On 28 April 2010 the two Ramsar sites were combined to form a single Ramsar site encompassing the entire National Park. The Ramsar criteria under which Kakadu National Park is recognised are listed in Appendix B.\n\nAustralian Ramsar management principles are prescribed by the EPBC Regulations (Schedule 6). An extract from the principles is at Appendix B to this plan.\n\nConvention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals\n\nThe Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS or Bonn Convention) aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range. As a party to the Bonn Convention, Australia has agreed to protect migratory species and to negotiate and implement agreements for the conservation and management of migratory species with other range states, including cooperation and support of research relating to migratory species:\n\n The agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Japan for the Protection of Migratory Birds in Danger of Extinction and their Environment 1974 (JAMBA).\n\n The agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the Protection of Migratory Birds in Danger of Extinction and their Environment 1986 (CAMBA).\n\n The agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Korea for the Protection of Migratory Birds 2007 (ROKAMBA).\n\nAppendix D to this plan lists species found in the park that are listed in or under the Bonn Convention, CAMBA, JAMBA and ROKAMBA.\n\n\n\n\n# Appendix D\n\n# EPBC-listed migratory species recorded in Kakadu National Park\n\n- Common name Scientific name Bonn CAMBA JAMBA ROKAMBA\n- Birds \n- Garganey Anas querquedula \n- Brown booby Sula leucogaster \n- Great frigatebird Fregata minor \n- Lesser frigatebird Fregata ariel \n- Eastern reef egret Egretta sacra \n- Great egret Ardea alba \n- Cattle egret Ardea ibis \n- Glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellus \n- Eastern Osprey Pandion cristatus \n- White-bellied sea-eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster \n- Sarus crane Grus antigone \n- Latham’s snipe Gallinago hardwickii \n- Swinhoe’s snipe Gallinago megala \n- Black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa \n- Bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica \n- Little curlew Numenius minutus \n- Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus \n- Eastern curlew Numenius madagascariensis \n- Marsh sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis \n- Common greenshank Tringa nebularia \n- Wood sandpiper Tringa glareola \n- Terek sandpiper Xenus cinereus \n- Common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos \n- Grey-tailed tattler Tringa brevipes \n- Ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpres \n- Great knot Calidris tenuirostris \n- Red knot Calidris canutus \n- Sanderling Calidris alba \n- Red-necked stint Calidris ruficollis \n- Pectoral sandpiper Calidris melanotos \n- Sharp-tailed sandpiper Calidris acuminata \n- Curlew sandpiper Calidris ferruginea \n- Broad-billed sandpiper Limicola falcinellus \n- Grey plover Pluvialis squatarola \n- Little ringed plover Charadrius dubius \n- Lesser sand plover Charadrius mongolus \n- Greater sand plover Charadrius leschenaultii \n- Oriental plover Charadrius veredus \n- Australian Painted Snipe Rostratula australis \n- Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva \n- Oriental pratincole Glareola maldivarum \n- Caspian tern Sterna caspia \n- Lesser crested tern Sterna bengalensis \n- Black-naped tern Sterna sumatrana \n- Common tern Sterna hirundo \n- Little tern Sterna albifrons \n- Bridled tern Sterna anaethetus \n- White-winged tern Chlidonias leucopterus \n- Oriental cuckoo Cuculus saturatus \n- White-throated needletail Hirundapus caudacutus \n- Fork-tailed swift Apus pacificus \n- Rainbow bee-eater Merops ornatus \n- Yellow wagtail Motacilla flava \n- Grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea \n- Barn swallow Hirundo rustica \n- Australian reed-warbler Acrocephalus australis \n- Mammals\n- Dugong Dugong dugon \n- Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Sousa sp. \n- Australian snubfin dolphin Orcaella heinsohni \n- Reptiles\n- Saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus \n- Loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta \n- Green turtle Chelonia mydas \n- Olive Ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea \n- Flatback turtle Natator depressus \n\n\n \n\nSource: Northern Territory Department of Land Resources Management and Australian Government Department of Environment Species Profiles and Threats database\n\n\n\n\n# Appendix E\n\n# Summary of the timeframes and consultation process used in developing this plan\n\nIn preparing this management plan, the Kakadu National Park Board of Management followed the process outlined in Section 368 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The actual steps taken by the Board, and the timing of each step, are shown below.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn undertaking these steps, nine Board meetings, four Board working group meetings and four rounds of Bininj/Mungguy consultation were held. These consultations have involved a total of 128 Bininj/Mungguy (including Board and Working Group members and staff) to date. The details of each of these meetings are outlined below.\n\n- Year Month Type of meeting Details\n- 2011 December Board meeting Reviewed the audit process and EPBC requirements for a management plan\n- 2012 March Board meeting Determined the planning and consultation process to be used\n- April Traditional owner and staff consultations Five community meetings held across the park and in neighbouring centres and a staff meeting held on the planning process and the outcomes of the audit and Have Your Say process\n- Board management plan working group Reviewed the traditional owner consultations to provide feedback for the next community meetings\n- June Board meeting Considered park values and reviewed outcomes of the technical audit of the fifth management plan and Have Your Say process\n- September Board meeting Considered vision and guiding principles, outcomes and objectives for plan sections, and policies and actions for living on country\n- Board management plan working group Considered policies and actions for looking after culture\n- October Traditional owner and staff consultations Three community meetings and a staff meeting held to discuss looking after country\n- December Board management plan working group Considered policies and actions for threats to values and landscapes\n- 2013 February Traditional owner consultations Three community meetings and a held to discuss tourism\n- Traditional owner consultations Three community meetings held to discuss joint management\n- Staff consultations Staff meeting held to discuss tourism and joint management\n- March Traditional owner consultations Traditional owners met with the Director of National Parks to further discuss joint management\n- October Board meeting Considered draft policies and actions on looking after country and culture, business management and joint management\n- November Board management plan working group Considered draft policies and actions on tourism\n- December Board meeting Considered draft policies and actions on managing use of the park\n- 2014 March Board meeting Considered draft policies and actions on Jabiru and outstations\n- June Board meeting Considered draft policies and actions on Jabiru and performance indicators\n- September Board meeting Endorsed the draft plan for release for public comment.\n- 2015 June Board meeting Considered some of the issues raised in the public comments in submissions on the draft management plan.\n- August Board meeting Considered the remaining public comments in submissions on the draft management plan and approved the final plan subject to any further changes recommended and agreed to by the sub-committee.\n- September Board management plan sub-committee Considered additional comments on draft plan provided by a Kakadu Board member and approved the management plan (with some changes) on behalf of the Board.\n\n\n\n\n\n# Appendix F\n\n# Glossary and interpretation\n\n| AAPA | means the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority established under the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act and includes any agency that may succeed to its functions under the Act |\n| --- | --- |\n| Aboriginal | means a person who is a member of the Aboriginal race of Australia |\n| Aboriginal land | means land held by an Aboriginal Land Trust for an estate in fee simple under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 |\n| Aboriginal tradition | means the body of traditions, observances, customs and beliefs of Aboriginals generally or of a particular group of Aboriginals; and includes those traditions, observances, customs and beliefs as applied in relation to particular persons, sites, areas of Kakadu National Park, things and relationships |\n| Action | means activities that will be undertaken during the life of the plan that assist in the delivery of outcomes |\n| AFANT | means the Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory |\n| Area plan | means an operational plan for a visitor site which sets out the natural, cultural and recreational values, identifies objectives based on these values, and sets out a management strategy to achieve them and to ensure that visitor activities are sustainable |\n| Australian Government | means the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia |\n| Balanda | means non-Aboriginal people |\n| BFC | means the Bushfires Council established by the Bushfires Act (NT) |\n| Bininj/Mungguy | means the traditional Aboriginal owners of land in the park (within the meaning of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976), and other Aboriginals entitled by Aboriginal tradition to use or occupy land in the park (whether or not the traditional entitlement is qualified as to place, time, circumstance, purpose or permission)
Note: Bininj is a Kunwinjku and Gundjeihmi word, pronounced ‘bin-ing’. This word is similar to the English word ‘man’ and can mean man, male, person or Aboriginal people, depending on the context. Other languages in Kakadu National Park have other words with these meanings – for example the Jawoyn word is Mungguy and the Limilngan word is Murlugan. In this plan, the words Bininj/Mungguy are used to refer to Aboriginal people who have rights and interests in relation to Kakadu National Park. |\n| Board of Management or Board | means the Board of Management established for the park under the EPBC Act |\n\n\n\n\n\n| Bonn Convention | means the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals |\n| --- | --- |\n| Bushfires NT | means an area within the Northern Territory government agency of Land Resource Management responsible for implementing the Bushfires Act and supporting landholders with fire mitigation |\n| CAMBA | means the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the Protection of Migratory Birds and their Environment |\n| Capture of images | means recording an image by artistic representation or on film, videotape or electronic medium |\n| Citizen science | means the systematic collection of biodiversity data by amateur or non-professional scientists |\n| Clan estate | means the entitlement to property of a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent |\n| Commercial activity | means the carrying out of an activity with intent of a reward – i.e. money, merchandise or services – or the possibility of future reward (if done for financial reward or commercial gain, under contract or consignment for another person, and/or with a view to being sold or hired out, or for promotion/advertising of a product or service) |\n| CITES | means the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora |\n| Commonwealth reserve | means a reserve established under Division 4 of Part 15 of the EPBC Act |\n| Department of the Environment | means the Australian Government Department responsible for the administration of the EPBC Act |\n| District | means one of five specific geographic management areas of the park each managed by a dedicated team of staff |\n| Director | means the Director of National Parks under s.514A of the EPBC Act, and includes Parks Australia and any person to whom the Director has delegated powers and functions under the EPBC Act in relation to Kakadu National Park |\n| Djang site | means Bininj/Mungguy dreaming places – these places represent belief systems and are powerful and sacred |\n| EPARR Act | means the Environment Protection (Alligator Rivers Region) Act 1978 |\n| EPBC Act | means the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, including Regulations under the Act, and includes reference to any Act amending, repealing or replacing the EPBC Act |\n\n\n\n\n\n| EPBC Regulations or the Regulations | means the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 and includes reference to any Regulations amending, repealing or replacing the EPBC Regulations |\n| --- | --- |\n| ERA | means Energy Resources Australia |\n| ERISS | means the Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist |\n| FNA | means the Fly Neighbourly Advice, also known as the Fly Neighbourly Agreement or Policy |\n| Feral animal/species | means a domestic animal that has escaped into the wild and now lives there; in this plan it also includes wild populations of non-native animals |\n| Gazette | means the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette |\n| GIS | means geographic information system |\n| IUCN | means the International Union for Conservation of Nature |\n| Indicator | means the measures that will be used to indicate the level of achievement of the outcomes
Collectively, indicators should demonstrate achievement of the outcome and objective. |\n| JAMBA | means the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Japan for the Protection of Migratory Birds and Birds in Danger of Extinction and their Environment |\n| JTDA | means the Jabiru Town Development Authority, or its successor |\n| Kakadu National Park or the park or Kakadu | means the area that was declared as a park by that name under the NPWC Act and continues as a Commonwealth reserve under the EPBC Act by the Environmental Reform (Consequential Provisions) Act 1999 |\n| Keystone species | means a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its [environment](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_environment \"Natural environment\") relative to its abundance and plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community |\n| KRMAC | means the Kakadu Research and Management Advisory Committee – as noted earlier KRMAC |\n| KTCC | means the Kakadu Tourism Consultative Committee |\n| Land Rights Act | means the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 |\n| Lease agreements | means lease agreements between Aboriginal Land Trusts and the Director in respect of Aboriginal land in the park |\n| Line of sight | means the direct and evident relationship/ linkages between actions, outcomes and objectives
Management actions should directly contribute to achievement of the desired outcomes and objectives. |\n| Management Effectiveness Framework | means the systematic approach to assessing and demonstrating how well Parks Australia is managing Commonwealth reserves, and the health of their associated ecosystems
The framework will link together our various management and assessment tools and use the information gathered through monitoring to adapt and improve future management programmes. |\n| Management plan or plan | means this management plan for Kakadu National Park, unless otherwise stated |\n| Management principles | means the Australian IUCN reserve management principles set out in Schedule 8 of the EPBC Regulations |\n| Mining operations | means mining operations as defined by the EPBC Act |\n| Minister | means the Minister administering the EPBC Act |\n| News of the day | means the reporting by newspaper, television, radio or other media of unanticipated events of the day that happen in the park from time to time, such as fires and rescue events.
The term does not include general items about the park itself or planned events. |\n| NLC | means the Northern Land Council |\n| NPWC Act | means the former National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 and the Regulations under that Act (repealed and replaced by the EPBC Act in 2000) |\n| NT | means the Northern Territory of Australia |\n| NTASS Act | means the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 |\n| NTFRS | means the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service |\n| Objective | means the aim or goal for a section of the plan
Objectives are directly associated with the conservation and management of the values of the park. |\n| Outcome | means the measurable benefit sought from the achievement of the actions
The delivery of outcomes contributes to the achievement of objectives. |\n| Park or the park | means the area that was declared as a Kakadu National Park under the NPWC Act and continues as a Commonwealth reserve under the EPBC Act by the Environmental Reform (Consequential Provisions) Act 1999 |\n| Parks Australia | means the part of the Department of the Environment that assists the Director in performing the Director’s functions under the EPBC Act |\n| Performance indicator | means the measures that will be used to measure progress towards the delivery of outcomes |\n\n\n\n\n\n| Performance measure | means the metric or measure used for measuring the level of performance of a performance indicator |\n| --- | --- |\n| Policy | means statements in the plan that prescribe how a matter will be dealt with during the life of the plan
Policies will often include the ‘rules’ of the park, indicating what activities will be allowed or permitted and how park management will respond if a situation occurs. Policies assist in the delivery of outcomes. |\n| Possession limit in the park | means what a person possesses at any one time in the park irrespective of where it was caught or found |\n| Precinct plan | means an operational document that plans for the provision of visitor facilities and services within a defined geographical setting that has interrelated sites, attractions and visitor experiences |\n| Priority area | means an identified area within the park that is a priority for management and/or monitoring |\n| Priority site | means an identified site within the park that is a priority for management and/or monitoring |\n| Priority weed species | means weed species that will be considered a management priority for the park |\n| Priority feral animal | means feral animal species that will be considered a management priority for the park |\n| Ramsar Convention | means the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance |\n| Ranger Inquiry | means the Ranger Uranium Environmental Inquiry, also known as the Fox Inquiry |\n| Relevant Aboriginals | means all the traditional Aboriginal owners of land in the Park and the Aboriginals entitled to enter upon or use or occupy the Park in accordance with Aboriginal tradition governing the rights of that Aboriginal or group of Aboriginals with respect to the Park whether or not those rights are qualified as to place, time, circumstances, purpose, permission or any other factor and the Aboriginals permitted by them to reside in the Park |\n| Ride | means to ride a non-motorised vehicle such as a pedal-powered bicycle |\n| Rock face | means a cliff face or sheer rock face |\n| ROKAMBA | means the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Korea for the Protection of Migratory Birds and their Environment |\n| Sacred site | means a site that is sacred to [Aboriginals](http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/alrta1976444/s3.html#aboriginal) or is otherwise of significance according to [Aboriginal tradition](http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/alrta1976444/s3.html#aboriginal_tradition), and includes any land that, under a [law of the Northern Territory](http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/alrta1976444/s3.html#law_of_the_northern_territory), is declared to be sacred to [Aboriginals](http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/alrta1976444/s3.html#aboriginal) or of significance according to [Aboriginal tradition](http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/alrta1976444/s3.html#aboriginal_tradition) |\n\n\n\n\n\n| Sacred Sites Act | means the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Securely stowed | means collapsible traps are collapsed; traps are unbaited; float lines are disconnected from traps; nets are out of sight and contained |\n| Significant species | means species that are listed as threatened (under the EPBC Act, TPWC Act or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), are endemic to the Kakadu region, have particular cultural value or are of conservation concern for other reasons (declining, fire sensitive); they may also be a good indicator of other species |\n| Significant threat | means something that is likely to cause harm to the park’s values |\n| Highly significant threat | means something that is likely to cause irreversible harm to the park’s values |\n| Moderately significant threat | means something that is likely to cause some harm to the park’s values |\n| Low significance threat | means something that may cause some harm to the park’s values |\n| Stakeholder | means a person, group or organisation that has interest or concern in, is affected by or can affect the management of the park |\n| Strategy | means a form of operational strategy, plan or document that assists in the implementation of this management plan. |\n| Supervising Scientist | means the Office of the Supervising Scientist |\n| TPWC Act | means the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (NT) 2006 including Regulations under the Act, and includes reference to any Act amending, repealing or replacing the TPWC Act |\n| Track for walking or riding | means a track for walking or riding that has been provided by the Director in accordance with EPBC subregulation 12.55(2) |\n| Top End | means the geographical region encompassing the northernmost section of the Northern Territory |\n| Tourism NT | means the Northern Territory Government agency responsible for tourism |\n| Traditional owners | means the traditional Aboriginal owners of land in the park as defined in the Land Rights Act |\n| Weed | means a plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, especially one that grows where it is not wanted and often grows or spreads fast or takes the place of desired plants. |\n| West Arnhem Regional Council | means the local government authority response for the provision of local government services in the West Arnhem Region including those areas within the boundaries of Kakadu National Park |\n| Value or park values | means the attributes of a park or reserve that are fundamental to the reserve’s purpose and significance |\n| Vehicle access road | means a road in a Commonwealth reserve that:
is a sealed road; and does not have a sign displayed on or near it indicating that it is prohibited to use motor vehicles on the road at that time |\n| Vehicle access track | means a road in a Commonwealth reserve that:
is an unsealed road; and has a sign, erected by the Director, with the words ‘Vehicle Access Track’ displayed at the point or points where motor vehicles would normally access the track; and has no signs displayed on the track indicating that it is prohibited to use motor vehicles on the track at that time |\n| Wildlife | means native plants and animals |\n| World Heritage Convention | means the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage |\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n# Appendix G\n\n# Legislative context\n\nLand Rights Act and park leases\n\nAt the time of preparation of this plan, approximately 50 per cent of Kakadu National Park is Aboriginal land under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Land Rights Act). Most of the remaining area of land is under claim by Aboriginal people. Title to Aboriginal land in the park is held by the Kakadu Aboriginal Land Trust, the Jabiluka Aboriginal Land Trust and the Gunlom Aboriginal Land Trust. These land trusts have leased their land to the Director of National Parks in accordance with the Land Rights Act for the purpose of being managed as a Commonwealth reserve. Land in the park that is not Aboriginal land is vested in the Director.\n\nThe lease agreements reserve the right of Aboriginals to enter and use the leased land in accordance with Aboriginal tradition and outline the Director’s obligations in regard to the management of Aboriginal land declared under the Land Rights Act.\n\nThe lease agreement with the Gunlom Aboriginal Land Trust includes special provisions about managing and protecting sacred sites, particularly the Sickness Country, rehabilitation of old mine workings in the Gunlom Land Trust area, and control of Aboriginal cultural material.\n\nSection 367(1)(d) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) requires that the plan must be consistent with the lease agreements.\n\nThe full provisions of the leases at the time of preparation of this plan are included as Appendix I: Provisions of leases.\n\nEstablishment of the park\n\nThe park was proclaimed under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 (NPWC Act) progressively between 1979 and 1991. Stage One of the park was initially established in 1979, Stage Two in 1984, and Stage Three between 1987 and 1991. The NPWC Act was replaced by the EPBC Act in July 2000. The park continues as a Commonwealth reserve under the EPBC Act pursuant to the Environmental Reform (Consequential Provisions) Act 1999, which deems the park to have been declared for the following purposes:\n\n the preservation of the area in its natural condition\n\n the encouragement and regulation of the appropriate use, appreciation and enjoyment of the area by the public.\n\nAmendments to the boundaries of the park were made under s.350(1) of the EPBC Act in 2007 and 2013 to incorporate a number of ex-mining leases and Koongarra into the park.\n\nThe EPBC Act and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (EPBC Regulations) under the Act provide the legal basis and framework for management of the park reserves. Other laws referred to in this appendix may also be relevant to activities in the park. A number of international agreements relevant to management of the park are also described.\n\n\n\n\nObjectives of the EPBC Act\n\nThe objectives of the EPBC Act as set out in Part 1 of the Act are:\n\n1. to provide for the protection of the environment, especially those aspects of the environment that are matters of national environmental significance; and\n2. to promote ecologically sustainable development through the conservation and ecologically sustainable use of natural resources; and\n3. to promote the conservation of biodiversity; and\n\n\n(ca) to provide for the protection and conservation of heritage; and\n\n1. to promote a co-operative approach to the protection and management of the environment involving governments, the community, land-holders and Indigenous peoples; and\n2. to assist in the co-operative implementation of Australia’s international environmental responsibilities; and\n3. to recognise the role of Indigenous people in the conservation and ecologically sustainable use of Australia’s biodiversity; and\n4. to promote the use of Indigenous people’s knowledge of biodiversity with the involvement of, and in cooperation with, the owners of the knowledge.\n\n\nDirector of National Parks\n\nThe Director is a corporation under the EPBC Act (s.514A). The corporation is controlled by the person appointed by the Governor-General to the office that is called the Director of National Parks (s.514F of the EPBC Act).\n\nThe functions of the Director (s.514B) include the administration, management and control of Commonwealth reserves established under the Act. The Director generally has power to do all things necessary or convenient for performing the Director’s functions (s.514C). The Director has a number of specified powers under the EPBC Act and EPBC Regulations, including to prohibit or control some activities, and to issue permits for activities that are otherwise prohibited. The Director performs functions and exercises powers in accordance with this plan and relevant decisions of the Kakadu National Park Board of Management.\n\nKakadu Board of Management\n\nThe Kakadu Board of Management was established under the NPWC Act in 1989 and continues under the EPBC Act. A majority of board members must be Indigenous persons nominated by the traditional Aboriginal owners of land in the park. The functions of the Board under s.376 of the EPBC Act are:\n\n1. to make decisions relating to the management of the park that are consistent with the management plan in operation for the park; and\n2. in conjunction with the Director, to:\n\n\n1. prepare management plans for the park; and\n2. monitor the management of the park; and\n3. advise the Minister on all aspects of the future development of the park.\n\n\n\n\n\nManagement plans\n\nThe purpose of a management plan is to describe the philosophy and direction for the management of the park for the next 10 years in accordance with the EPBC Act. This plan outlines and identifies the park’s values and how they are to be protected, conserved, presented, promoted and further described. It enables management to proceed in an orderly way, provides a framework for management decisions and reconciling competing interests, and identifies priorities for the allocation of available resources.\n\nThe EPBC Act requires the Board of Management to prepare a management plan for the park in conjunction with the Director. When prepared, a plan is given to the Minister administering the EPBC Act for approval. A management plan is a ‘legislative instrument’ for the purposes of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 and must be registered under that Act. Following registration, the plan is tabled in each house of the Commonwealth Parliament and may be disallowed by either house on a motion moved within 15 sitting days of the house after tabling.\n\nA management plan for a Commonwealth reserve has effect for 10 years, subject to being revoked or amended earlier by another management plan for the reserve. The Director must give effect to a management plan in operation for a Commonwealth reserve. The Commonwealth and Commonwealth agencies must also not perform functions or exercise powers in relation to the reserve inconsistently with the plan (s.362).\n\nMatters to be taken into account in a management plan\n\nUnder the EPBC Act (s.367) a management plan for a Commonwealth reserve must provide for the protection and conservation of the reserve. In particular, each management plan must:\n\n assign the reserve to an IUCN protected area category (whether or not a proclamation has assigned the reserve or a zone of the reserve to that IUCN category); and\n\n state how the reserve, or each zone of the reserve, is to be managed; and\n\n state how the natural features of the reserve, or of each zone of the reserve, are to be protected and conserved; and\n\n if the Director holds land or seabed included in the reserve under lease – be consistent with the Director’s obligations under the lease; and\n\n specify any limitation or prohibition on the exercise of a power, or performance of a function, under the EPBC Act in or in relation to the reserve; and\n\n specify any mining operation, major excavation or other works that may be carried on in the reserve, and the conditions under which it may be carried on; and\n\n specify any other operation or activity that may be carried on in the reserve; and\n\n indicate generally the activities that are to be prohibited or regulated in the reserve, and the means of prohibiting or regulating them; and\n\n indicate how the plan takes account of Australia’s obligations under each agreement with one or more other countries that is relevant to the reserve (including World Heritage Convention and the Ramsar Convention, if appropriate); and\n\n if the reserve includes a National Heritage place:\n\n1. not be inconsistent with the National Heritage management principles; and\n2. address the matters prescribed by regulations made for the purposes of paragraph 324S(4)(a); and\n\n\n if the reserve includes a Commonwealth Heritage place:\n\n1. not be inconsistent with the Commonwealth Heritage management principles; and\n2. address the matters prescribed by regulations made for the purposes of paragraph 341S(4)(a).\n\n\n In preparing a management plan the EPBC Act (s.368) requires account to be taken of various matters. In relation to the Kakadu these matters include:\n\n1. the regulation of the use of the park for the purpose for which it was declared\n2. the interests of:\n3. the traditional owners of the park\n4. any other Indigenous persons interested in the park\n5. any person who has a usage right relating to land, sea or seabed in the park that existed (or is derived from a usage right that existed) immediately before the park was declared\n\n\n the protection of the special features of the park, including objects and sites of biological, historical, paleontological, archaeological, geological and geographical interest\n\n the protection, conservation and management of biodiversity and heritage within the park\n\n the protection of the park against damage\n\n Australia’s obligations under agreements between Australia and one or more other countries relevant to the protection and conservation of biodiversity and heritage.\n\nControl of actions in Commonwealth reserves\n\nThe EPBC Act (ss.354 and 354A) prohibits certain actions being taken in Commonwealth reserves except in accordance with a management plan. These actions are:\n\n kill, injure, take trade, keep or move a member of a native species; or\n\n damage heritage; or\n\n carry out an excavation; or\n\n erect a building or other structure; or\n\n carry out works; or\n\n take an action for commercial purposes.\n\nThe EPBC Regulations control, or allow the Director to control, a range of activities in Commonwealth reserves, such as camping, use of vehicles and vessels, littering, commercial activities and research. The Director applies the Regulations subject to and in accordance with the EPBC Act and management plans. The Regulations do not apply to the Director or to wardens or rangers appointed under the EPBC Act. Activities that are prohibited or restricted by the EPBC Regulations may be carried on if they are authorised by a permit issued by the Director and/or they are carried on in accordance with a management plan or if another exception prescribed by r.12.06(1) of the Regulations applies.\n\n\n\n\nThe EPBC Act does not affect the operation of the Native Title Act 1993 and s.211 in particular, which in certain circumstances allows native title holders to hunt (and undertake other activities) in the exercise of native title rights without a permit or licence (s.8 EPBC Act). Prohibitions and other provisions of the EPBC Act and EPBC Regulations dealing with activities in Commonwealth reserves do not prevent Indigenous people from continuing their traditional use of an area in a reserve for hunting or gathering (except for purposes of sale), or for ceremonial and religious purposes, in accordance with the EPBC Act s.359A.\n\nSection 358 allows the Director to grant a lease or a licence relating to land or seabed in a Commonwealth reserve in accordance with a management plan.\n\nAccess to biological resources in Commonwealth areas is regulated under Part 8A of the EPBC Regulations. Access to biological resources is also covered by ss.354 and 354A of the EPBC Act if the resources are members of a native species and/or if access is for commercial purposes.\n\nMining operations are prohibited in Kakadu National Park by the EPBC Act (s.387).\n\nActions that may require additional approval under the EPBC Act\n\n#### Environmental impact assessment\n\nActions that are likely to have a significant impact on ‘matters of national environmental significance’ are subject to the referral, assessment and approval provisions of chapters 2 to 4 of the EPBC Act (irrespective of where the action is taken).\n\nAt the time of preparing this plan, the matters of national environmental significance identified in the EPBC Act are:\n\nWorld Heritage listed properties\n\n National Heritage listed places\n\n Ramsar wetlands of international importance\n\n nationally listed threatened species and ecological communities\n\n listed migratory species\n\n nuclear actions (including uranium mining)\n\n Commonwealth marine areas\n\n Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.\n\nPlaces on the Commonwealth Heritage List and Register of the National Estate are defined as forming part of the environment for the purposes of the EPBC Act.\n\nThe referral, assessment and approval provisions also apply to actions on Commonwealth land that are likely to have a significant impact on the environment and to actions taken outside Commonwealth land that are likely to have a significant impact on the environment on Commonwealth land. The park is Commonwealth land for the purposes of the EPBC Act.\n\nResponsibility for compliance with the assessment and approval provisions of the EPBC Act lies with persons taking relevant ‘controlled’ actions. A person proposing to take an action that the person thinks may be or is a controlled action should refer the proposal to the Minister for the Minister’s decision whether the action is a controlled action. The Director of National Parks may also refer proposed actions to the Minister.\n\n\n\n\n#### Wildlife protection\n\nPart 13 of the EPBC Act contains provisions that prohibit and regulate actions in relation to listed threatened species and ecological communities, listed migratory species, cetaceans (whales and dolphins) and listed marine species. Appendix J to this plan identifies species in the park that are listed as threatened under the EPBC Act at the time of preparing this plan. Appendix D identifies migratory and marine species that are listed under the EPBC Act and under international conventions, treaties and agreements at the time of preparing this plan.\n\nActions taken in a Commonwealth reserve in accordance with a management plan that is in operation in relation to members of species listed under Part 13 of the EPBC Act are exempt from prohibitions that would otherwise apply under Part 13.\n\nPart 9 of the EPBC Regulations provides for the protection and conservation of biodiversity in Commonwealth areas outside the park (i.e. all land outside the park), and prohibits and/or regulates actions affecting members of native species specified in Schedule 12 to the Regulations, and their habitat.\n\nMigratory species listed under the EPBC Act are species listed under international agreements (to which Australia is a signatory) as species whose protection requires, or would significantly benefit from, international cooperation. These international agreements are discussed in more detail in Appendix C.\n\nIn relation to threatened species and communities, the EPBC Act also provides for the identification and listing of key threatening processes and the preparation of threat abatement plans and species recovery plans.\n\n#### Access to biological resources\n\nAt the time of preparing this plan, access to biological resources in Commonwealth areas is regulated under the EPBC Regulations Part 8A, and a permit from the Minister is required. Access to biological resources is defined in the EPBC Regulations; it broadly means the taking of biological resources of native species for research and development on any genetic resources, or biochemical compounds, comprising or contained in the biological resources. Biological resources are defined by the EPBC Act as genetic resources, organisms, parts of organisms, populations and any other biotic component of an ecosystem with actual or potential use or value for humanity. Genetic resources are defined by the EPBC Act as any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin that contains functional units of heredity, and that has actual or potential value for humanity.\n\n#### Heritage protection\n\nAs noted above, the listed World Heritage, National Heritage and Commonwealth Heritage values of the park are protected under the EPBC Act.\n\nSections 313 to 324 of the EPBC Act provide for the protection of World Heritage properties, including the protection of values and the requirements for management, including the preparation of management plans. As required by the Act, Australia’s obligations in relation to the park under the World Heritage Convention have been taken into account in preparation of this management plan for the park.\n\nIn addition to the protection provided to the park by the EPBC Act as a World Heritage property, the park is listed on both the National Heritage List and the Commonwealth Heritage List under the EPBC Act. At the time of preparing this plan, some sites in the park are ‘indicative places’ for the purposes of potential inclusion in either the National Heritage List or Commonwealth Heritage List under the EPBC Act.\n\n\n\n\nIn terms of National Heritage and Commonwealth Heritage listed places, the EPBC Act heritage protection provisions (ss.324A to 324ZC and ss.341A to 341ZH) relevantly provide:\n\n for the establishment and maintenance of a National Heritage List and a Commonwealth Heritage List, criteria and values for inclusion of places in either list and management principles for places that are included in the two lists\n\n that Commonwealth agencies must not take an action that is likely to have an adverse impact on the heritage values of a place included in either list unless there is no feasible and prudent alternative to taking the action, and all measures that can reasonably be taken to mitigate the impact of the action on those values are taken\n\n that Commonwealth agencies that own or control places must:\n\n1. make a written plan to protect and manage the Commonwealth Heritage values of each of its Commonwealth Heritage places\n2. prepare a written heritage strategy for managing those places to protect and conserve their Commonwealth Heritage values, addressing any matters required by the EPBC Regulations, and consistent with the Commonwealth Heritage management principles\n3. identify Commonwealth Heritage values for each place, and produce a register that sets out the Commonwealth Heritage values (if any) for each place (and do so within the timeframe set out in the agency’s heritage strategy).\n\n\nThe prescriptions within this management plan are consistent with World Heritage, National Heritage and Commonwealth Heritage management principles and other relevant obligations under the EPBC Act for protecting and conserving the heritage values for which the park has been listed.\n\n#### Wetlands of international importance\n\nThe EPBC Act management of wetlands of international importance provisions (ss.325 to 336) relevantly provide:\n\n The Commonwealth may designate a wetland for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance kept under the Ramsar Convention only after seeking the agreement of relevant states, self-governing territories and landholders.\n\n The Minister must make plans for managing wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention that are entirely in Commonwealth areas. The Commonwealth and Commonwealth agencies must not contravene such plans. In the case of Commonwealth reserves, a management plan must be prepared (s.328(6)).\n\n The Commonwealth must try to prepare and implement management plans for other wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention, in cooperation with the relevant states and self-governing territories.\n\n The Commonwealth and Commonwealth agencies have duties relating to declared Ramsar wetlands in states and territories.\n\n The Commonwealth can provide assistance for the protection or conservation of declared Ramsar wetlands.\n\n\n\n\nAll wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention are recognised as matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act. As such, approval is required for actions that will have, or are likely to have, a significant impact on the ecological character of a Ramsar-listed wetland.\n\nThe prescriptions within this plan are consistent with the Australian Ramsar management principles described in Schedule 6 of the EPBC Act and other relevant obligations under the EPBC Act for the management of wetlands included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance kept under the Ramsar Convention.\n\nFurther information on wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention, including access to Ramsar information sheets and ecological character descriptions for Australian Ramsar sites, is available via the Australian Wetlands Database.\n\n#### Penalties\n\nCivil and/or criminal penalties may be imposed for breaches of the EPBC Act. \n\n\n# Appendix H\n\n# IUCN administrative and management principle schedules\n\nGeneral administrative principles\n\nThe International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) sets out guidelines for categorising protected areas, which Australia and many other countries have adopted as a national standard. Part 1 of Schedule 8 sets out general administrative principles applicable to all Commonwealth reserves. These principles underpin management approaches with regard to:\n\n- community participation – management arrangements should, to the extent practicable, provide for broad and meaningful participation by the community, public organisations and private interests in designing and carrying out the functions of a reserve or zone\n- effective and adaptive management – management arrangements should be effective and appropriate to the biodiversity objectives and the socio-economic context of the reserve or zone. They should be adaptive in character to ensure a capacity to respond to uncertainty and change\n- the precautionary principle – a lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent degradation of the natural and cultural heritage of a reserve or zone where there is a threat of serious or irreversible damage\n- minimising impacts – the integrity of a reserve or zone is best conserved by protecting it from disturbance and threatening processes. Potential adverse impacts on the natural, cultural and social environment and surrounding communities should be minimised as far as practicable\n- ecologically sustainable use – if resource use is consistent with the management principles that apply to a reserve or zone, it should be based on the principle (the principle of ecologically sustainable use) that:\n\n\n- natural resources should only be used within their capacity to sustain natural processes while maintaining the life-support systems of nature, and\n\n- the benefit of the use to the present generation should not diminish the potential of the reserve or zone to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations\n\n- transparency of decision-making – the framework and processes for decision-making for management of the reserve or zone should be transparent. The reason for making decisions should be publicly available, except to the extent that information, including information that is culturally sensitive or commercial-in-confidence, needs to be treated as confidential\n- joint management – if the reserve or zone is wholly or partly owned by Aboriginal people, continuing traditional use of the reserve or zone by resident Indigenous people, including the protection and maintenance of cultural heritage, should be recognised.\n\n\n\n\n\nIUCN category and management principles\n\nThe EPBC Act requires Commonwealth reserves, and any zones into which a reserve is divided, to be assigned to one of the seven IUCN categories prescribed by the EPBC Regulations (r.10.03H), which correspond to the protected area management categories identified by the IUCN:\n\n| IUCN category number | Protected area category |\n| --- | --- |\n| Ia | Strict nature reserve |\n| Ib | Wilderness area |\n| II | National park |\n| III | Natural monument |\n| IV | Habitat/species management area |\n| V | Protected landscape/seascape |\n| VI | Managed resource protected area |\n\n\nReserve management must be consistent with the relevant Australian IUCN reserve management principles prescribed for each category by Schedule 8 to the EPBC Regulations and described below.\n\nThe principles provide guidance on the purposes for which an area should be used and the general types of activities that may be conducted. They underpin decisions and prescriptions for each IUCN category.\n\nHaving been designated a national park (IUCN category II) under Section 3 of this plan, the park should be protected and managed to preserve its natural condition according to the following Australian IUCN management principles:\n\n- Natural and scenic areas of national and international significance should be protected for spiritual, scientific, educational, and recreational or tourist purposes\n- Representative examples of physiographic regions, biotic communities, genetic resources and native species should be perpetuated in as natural a state as possible to provide ecological stability and diversity\n- Visitor use should be managed for inspirational, educational, cultural and recreational purposes at a level that will maintain the reserve or zone in a natural or near-natural state\n- Management should seek to ensure that exploitation or occupation inconsistent with these principles does not occur\n- Respect should be maintained for the ecological, geomorphologic, sacred and aesthetic attributes for which the reserve or zone was assigned to this category\n- The needs of Indigenous people should be taken into account, including subsistence resource use, to the extent that they do not conflict with these principles\n- The aspirations of traditional owners of land within the reserve or zone, their continuing land management practices, the protection and maintenance of cultural heritage and the benefit the traditional owners derive from enterprises, established in the reserve or zone, consistent with these principles should be recognised and taken into account.\n\n\n \n\n| EPBC Regulations schedules and management principles | Sections of management plan that address principles |\n| --- | --- |\n| Schedule 8 – Australian IUCN reserve management principlesPart 1 – General administrative principles | |\n| 1 Community participation
Management arrangements should, to the extent practicable, provide for broad and meaningful participation by the community, public organisations and private interests in designing and carrying out the functions of the reserve or zone. | 4.1, 9.7 |\n| 2 Effective and adaptive management
Management arrangements should be effective and appropriate to the biodiversity objectives and the socio-economic context of the reserve or zone. They should be adaptive in character to ensure a capacity to respond to uncertainty and change. | 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 7, 9.5, 9.9 |\n| 3 Precautionary principle
A lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent degradation of the natural and cultural heritage of a reserve or zone where there is a threat of serious or irreversible damage. | 5.2, 5.3, 9.5 |\n| 4 Minimum impact
The integrity of a reserve or zone is best conserved by protecting it from disturbance and threatening processes. Potential adverse impacts on the natural, cultural and social environment and surrounding communities should be minimised as far as practicable. | 5.2, 5.3, 6, 9.2 |\n| 5 Ecologically sustainable use
If resource use is consistent with the management principles that apply to a reserve or zone, it should (if it is carried out) be based on the principle (the principle of ecologically sustainable use) that:
natural resources should only be used within their capacity to sustain natural processes while maintaining the life-support systems of nature; and the benefit of the use to the present generation should not diminish the potential of the reserve or zone to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. | 10.5, 10.6 |\n| 6 Transparency of decision-making
The framework and processes for decision-making for management of the reserve or zone should be transparent. The reasons for making decisions should be publicly available, except to the extent that information, including information that is culturally sensitive or commercial-in-confidence, needs to be treated as confidential. | 4.1, 6 |\n| 7 Joint management
If the reserve or zone of wholly or partly owned, by Aboriginal people, continuing traditional use of the reserve or zone by resident Indigenous people, including the protection and maintenance of cultural heritage, should be recognised. | 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 |\n| Part 2 – Principles for each IUCN category3 National park (category II) | |\n| 3.01 The reserve or zone should be protected and managed to preserve its natural condition according to the following principles. | |\n| 3.02 Natural and scenic areas of national and international significance should be protected for spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational or tourist purposes. | 5.2, 6, 7, 9.2, 9.5 |\n| 3.03 Representative examples of physiographic regions, biotic communities, genetic resources, and native species should be perpetuated in as natural a state as possible to provide ecological stability and diversity. | 5.2, 5.3, 7 |\n| 3.04 Visitor use should be managed for inspirational, educational, cultural and recreational purposes at a level that will maintain the reserve or zone in a natural or near natural state. | 6 |\n| 3.05 Management should seek to ensure that exploitation or occupation inconsistent with these principles does not occur. | 10 |\n| 3.06 Respect should be maintained for the ecological, geomorphologic, sacred and aesthetic attributes for which the reserve or zone was assigned to this category. | 5.1, 5.2 |\n| 3.07 The needs of Indigenous people should be taken into account, including subsistence resource use, to the extent that they do not conflict with these principles. | 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 10.6 |\n| 3.08 The aspirations of traditional owners of land within the reserve or zone, their continuing land management practices, the protection and maintenance of cultural heritage and the benefit the traditional owners derive from enterprises, established in the reserve or zone, consistent with these principles should be recognised and taken into account. | 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6 |\n\n\n\n\n\n# Appendix I\n\n# Provisions of leases\n\nKAKADU NATIONAL PARK\n\nTHE NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n\nMEMORANDUM OF LEASE\n\nKAKADU / JABILUKA / GUNLOM ABORIGINAL LAND TRUST (“the Lessor”) being a Land Trust established pursuant to sub-section 4(1) of the Aboriginal Land Rights Northern Territory) Act 1976 (“the Land Rights Act”) BEING registered as the proprietor of an estate in fee simple, in\n\nALL THAT piece or parcel of land in the Northern Territory of Australia (“the Leased Area”) being part of NT Portion 1662 / 2374, 2375 & 2376 / 4774 more particularly shown on plan CP 19 / S84/198, S84/199 & S84/203 / S95/212, which has been deposited at the Land Titles Office, Darwin BEING the whole of the land comprised in the Grant Registered Volume 19 Folio 165 / Volume 167 Folio 018 / Volume 477 Folio 049, and\n\nHAVING received a direction from the Northern Land Council pursuant to the provisions of the Land Rights Act, that direction having been given by the Land Council on its being satisfied that:\n\n1. the Traditional Aboriginal Owners of the Park understand the nature and purpose of this Lease, and as a group, consent to it;\n2. the Aboriginal communities and groups which may be affected by this Lease have been consulted and have had adequate opportunity to express their views to the Land Council; and\n3. the terms and conditions of this Lease are reasonable,\n\n\nHEREBY GRANTS a lease of the said Part of NT Portion 1662 / 2374, 2375 & 2376 / 4774 to the DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE (“the Lessee”), a corporation established by the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 (“the Act”) to be held by the Lessee for the purposes of the Act, subject to and in accordance with the following reservations, provisions, covenants and conditions.\n\n\n\n\nPART 1 – RESERVATIONS\n\nReservation of Right of Entry and Inspection\n\n1. The Lessor reserves a right in favour of the Chairman of the Land Council or any person authorised in writing by the Land Council, at all reasonable times and in any reasonable manner, to enter upon the Park or any part of it and to inspect the Park and any improvements on the Park.\n\n\nReservations of Traditional Rights to Use and Occupy\n\n1. (1) An Aboriginal or group of Aboriginals is entitled to enter upon the Park and use or occupy the Park to the extent that that entry occupation or use is in accordance with Aboriginal tradition governing the rights of that Aboriginal or group of Aboriginals with respect to that land, whether or not those rights are qualified as to place, time, circumstances, purpose, permission or any other factor.\n\n\n(2) Without limiting the generality of sub-clause 2 (1 ) the Lessor reserves in favour of Relevant Aboriginals and groups of Relevant Aboriginals the following rights, which shall operate subject to the directions or decisions of the Board with respect to health, safety or privacy –\n\n1. the right to continue, in accordance with law, the traditional use of any area of the Park for hunting or food gathering (otherwise than for purposes of sale);\n2. the right to continue the traditional use of any area of the Park for ceremonial and religious purposes; and\n3. subject also to such reasonable constraints as may be contained in the plan of Management for reasons of safety, security, privacy or protection of the Park, the right to reside within the Park at such places at which such Aboriginals are residing at the commencement of this Lease and at such other locations as may be specified in the Plan of Management, together with rights of access and residence for their families, employees, staff, invitees and agents.\n\n\nReservation of requirements to sublet part of the Park\n\n1. The Lessor reserves the right to require the Lessee to sub-let any reasonable part of the Park with the consent of the Lessee, which consent shall not be unreasonably or capriciously withheld, as requested in writing by the Board to the Lessor in accordance with the Act and the Land Rights Act and the Plan of Management.\n\n\nPART II – PROVISIONS\n\nCommencement\n\n1. This lease shall commence on the 1st day of January 1991 (Kakadu & Jabiluka) / 14th day of January 1996 (Gunlom).\n\n\nDetermination and surrender of former lease (Kakadu lease only)\n\n1. The Former Lease is hereby determined and the Lessor and the Lessee agree to take all steps and do all things necessary to surrender the Former Lease.\n\n\n(Jabiluka lease only - there is no clause 5)\n\n\n\n\nNative Title\n\n1. (Gunlom lease only) 5. Nothing in this Lease shall be construed so as to affect or derogate from in any way any native title, Aboriginal or other rights, privileges or freedom of any Relevant Aboriginals or any of them or any other person that may subsist in the Park regardless of whether such rights, privileges and freedom are recognised, established or defined before or after the execution of this Lease.\n\n\nTerm\n\n1. This Lease shall expire on the 31st day of December, two thousand and seventy eight (2078).\n\n\nFinancial Arrangements\n\n1. (1) The Lessee shall pay to the Land Council on behalf of the Lessor an annual rent of $175,701 (Kakadu) / $1 (Jabiluka) / $98,000 (Gunlom) payable in advance and shall further pay to the Land Council on behalf of the Lessor:\n\n\n1. an amount equal to 25% (Kakadu) / 0 (Jabiluka) / 13.8% (Gunlom) of receipts from any entrance and camping fees and other charges imposed in pursuance of sub-section 17(1A) of the Act, such amounts to be paid quarterly calculated by reference to receipts of the previous quarter.\n2. an amount equal to 25% (Kakadu) / 0 (Jabiluka) / 13.8% (Gunlom) of receipts in respect of any charge, penalty, fee, fine or impost received by the Lessee or the Commonwealth of Australia arising out of the operation of the provisions of the Act or the Regulations made thereunder in respect of commercial activities undertaken within the Park in excess of the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) (“the threshold amount”) to be paid annually in arrears and calculated by reference to receipts of the previous year.\n\n\n(2) The Lessee shall pay to the Land Council on behalf of the Lessor an amount equal to 25% (Kakadu) / 0 (Jabiluka) / 13.8% (Gunlom) of the amount received by the Lessee or by the Commonwealth of Australia pursuant to the grant of any estate or interest in the Park dependent on the Lessee’s interest such payments to be made within four (4) weeks of receipt by the Lessee or by the Commonwealth of Australia.\n\n(3) Notwithstanding any term or provision of this Lease to the contrary nothing in this clause extends to any charge, penalty, fee, fine or impost received by the Lessee or the Commonwealth of Australia and arising out of the operation of the provisions of the Act or the Regulations made thereunder other than the charges, penalties, fees, fines or imposts referred to in sub-clause 1.\n\nRent Review\n\n8 (1) The annual rent to be paid under clause 7 and the threshold amount pursuant to paragraph 7 (1) (b) (collectively “the review figures”) shall be reviewed on the first day of January, two thousand and one (2001) and thereafter at five (5) yearly intervals during the term of this Lease (collectively “the review date”) and shall be calculated by individually multiplying each of the review figures at the commencement of this Lease (called “base period”) by the fraction NI/BI .\n\n\n\n\nNl refers to the Consumer Price Index for Darwin (all groups) published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (“the Bureau”) in respect of the quarter immediately preceding the particular review date and BI is the Consumer Price Index for Darwin (all groups) published by that Bureau in respect of the quarter immediately preceding the base period.\n\n(2) In the event that at any time during the term of this Lease the Bureau shall up-date the reference base of that index, the required conversion shall be made to preserve the intended continuity of the calculations by making the appropriate arithmetical adjustment to make the up-dated index number correspond in reference base to the index number at the review date.\n\n(3) In the event that it is not possible to make an arithmetical adjustment as specified in sub-clause 8 (2), or if there is a change in the basis of assessment of that index or its calculation has been suspended or discontinued, then in the event of the parties failing to agree upon a formula provided for in sub-clause 8 (1) then the matter shall be referred for determination by the Australian Statistician to fix a formula for review of the review figures on the review date which will provide as nearly as practicable the same adjustments of their review figures as if the Consumer Price Index referred to in sub-clause 8 (1) had been continued without variation and the determination shall be final and binding upon the parties.\n\n(4) Each rent review shall be made within three (3) months prior to the review date.\n\n(5) The Lessor shall notify the Lessee in writing of its calculation of the increase in the review figures on the review date.\n\n(6) The review figures shall not be reduced in the event of a decrease in the index number since the previous review date.\n\n(7) If the Lessee fails or refuses to accept the Lessor’s assessment of the review figures by notice in writing or the parties fail to agree upon the review figures at the review date within 30 days after service of notice thereof by the Lessor, the review figures shall be determined by reference to arbitration and thereupon the provision of paragraphs 16(2)(a) to (d) shall apply mutatis mutandis.\n\n(8) The Lessee shall in the interim pay the rent including an amount equal to not less than half of the increase in rent payable as calculated by the Lessor in the event that the parties are unable to resolve the difference in their calculations prior to the date for payment of the rent.\n\n(9) If the Lessee has paid rent in excess of the current amount due because of the Lessor’s calculation the Lessor shall repay the excess together with interest thereon at a rate equal to the interest rate charged at the time of the interim payment by the Lessee’s banker for amounts equal to the excess rent paid calculated at a daily rate.\n\nPART III – COVENANTS AND CONDITIONS\n\n1. The Lessee covenants –\n\n\n1. to take all practicable steps to ensure compliance by all persons with the Act, regulations under the Act, this Lease and the Plan of Management;\n2. not to transfer, assign, sublet or part with the possession of the Park or any part of the Park without the consent in writing of the Lessor;\n\n\n\n\n\n1. to pay the Land Council’s and the Land Trust’s reasonable costs of and incidental to the preparation, execution, registration and stamping of this Lease agreed and assessed at ten thousand dollars ($10,000) and in addition, to pay all registration fees and stamp duty payable in connection with this Lease;\n2. to pay all rates and taxes which may at any time become due in respect of the Park;\n3. to carry all of the risk as self-insurer in respect of the timely reinstatement to full value of any of the improvements in the Park which may be damaged or destroyed without the consent of the Lessor, being improvements existing at the date of the commencement of this Lease and such other improvements as may be made, except such improvements in respect of which there exists a contract of insurance insuring the risk to the extent of liability imposed upon the Lessee under this sub-clause;\n4. to carry all of the risk as self-insurer as occupier of the Park as regards any liability to any third person;\n5. as far as is practicable, to make good any damage to the Park (other than improvements) being damage caused by the Lessee except where the damage to the Park was occasioned with the consent of the Lessor or of the Board;\n6. to comply with all Acts, regulations and other laws otherwise applicable to the Park;\n7. to have regard in the performance of its functions in relation to the Park, to such priorities in allocating financial and other resources as are provided in the Plan of Management or determined from time to time by the Board;\n8. to promote and protect the interests of Relevant Aboriginals;\n9. to protect areas and things of significance to Relevant Aboriginals;\n10. to encourage the maintenance of the Aboriginal tradition of Relevant Aboriginals;\n11. to take all practicable steps to promote Relevant Aboriginal administration management and control of the Park;\n12. subject to the Plan of Management, to engage as many Relevant Aboriginals as is practicable to provide services in and in relation to the Park;\n\n\n \n\n1. without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to utilise the traditional skills of Aboriginal individuals and groups in the management of the Park;\n2. subject to the Plan of Management, to encourage Relevant Aboriginal business and commercial initiatives and enterprises within the Park;\n3. subject to the Plan of Management, to facilitate development of outstations by Relevant Aboriginals; (Gunlom lease only)\n4. to liaise and consult regularly with the Land Council and Relevant Aboriginal Associations in connection with the administration, management and control of the Park;((q) in Kakadu and Jabiluka leases)\n5. to consult with and have regard to the views of the Land Council in respect of the formulation of any educational and interpretive policy in relation to the Park; ((r) in Kakadu and Jabiluka leases)\n6. not to make any arrangements under sub-section 36(4) of the Act for the performance of functions or the exercise of powers under that Act in relation to the Park without the consent of the Land Council ((s) Kakadu and Jabiluka leases) (Kakadu and Jabiluka leases only): except arrangements for the performance of functions and the exercise of powers in relation to the Park by officers or employees of the Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory established by the Conservation Commission Act 1980 of the Northern Territory of Australia, who are responsible to the Lessee and under the direct supervision of the Service;\n7. as far as practicable and subject to the Plan of Management and to this Lease, to provide such capital equipment and machinery as is reasonably required for the adequate maintenance of roads, camping facilities and all other Park improvements (being roads, facilities or improvements owned or controlled by the Lessee); ((t) in Kakadu and Jabiluka leases)\n8. after consultation with and having regard to the views of Relevant Aboriginal Associations and the Land Council, and subject to the Plan of Management, to implement a licensing and induction scheme for tour operators carrying on commercial activities in the Park; ((u) in Kakadu and Jabiluka leases)\n9. subject to the Plan of Management and the Act to use its best endeavours to collect entrance and camping and other charges and ensure such charges are properly accounted for on an audited basis; ((v) in Kakadu and Jabiluka leases) and 197.\n10. subject to the Plan of Management, to permit an officer or officers of the Land Council to enter and move freely in the Park for the purpose of performing on behalf of the Land Council the statutory powers or functions of the Land Council.((w) in Kakadu and Jabiluka leases)\n\n\n(the remaining sub-clauses of clause 9 are in the Gunlom lease only)\n\n1. (i) The Lessee shall at all times respect and observe all due solemnity and deference with respect to sacred sites and shall consult with the Traditional Aboriginal Owners of such sites for the purpose of:\n\n\n1. establishing maintaining and updating a confidential register of the locations of sacred sites; and\n2. establishing, maintaining and updating a protocol for conduct in accordance with Aboriginal tradition in respect of each sacred site, including conduct when emergency access is required;\n\n\n1. In so far as he is permitted by the Act, the Lessee shall take such reasonable measures requested by the Traditional Aboriginal Owners or the Land Council as are reasonably necessary to ensure the protection of any sacred sites in the Leased Area of which the Lessee has knowledge or could reasonably be expected to have such knowledge as a result of consultations pursuant to subclause 9(y)(i) hereof and to use all reasonable measures to ensure that any such sacred sites are not interfered with in any way, manner or form.\n\n\n\n\n\n1. For the purposes of this clause 9(y) a sacred site shall be interfered with if:\n\n\n1. conduct which is not appropriate in accordance with Aboriginal tradition occurs at the site, or the sacred site is used or entered into not in accordance with Aboriginal tradition; and\n2. such inappropriate conduct, use or entry was without permission of the Land Council.\n\n\n1. Such protective measures as aforesaid shall be carried out in consultation with the Traditional Aboriginal Owners of the sacred sites, the Land Trust and the Land Council and may include the prohibition of persons from any particular area or areas and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such measures may include the posting of appropriate notices; the erection of fences or other barriers, or the closing of any access roads to or impinging on sacred sites.\n2. In the event that damage occurs to any sacred site as a result of the Lessee being in breach of this covenant, then the Lessee shall:\n\n\n1. pay compensation for distress, injury, or trauma, whether spiritual, physical or emotional, caused to any Traditional Aboriginal Owner of the site as a result of the entry or damage; and 198.\n2. in the absence of agreement being reached within a reasonable time between the Land Council and the Lessee, the amount of any compensation payable under this clause shall be assessed by an independent person with legal qualifications and at least 10 years experience as a practitioner of law in the Supreme Court of any State or Territory in Australia who shall be appointed by the Commonwealth Minister of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, and shall be a person who is of recognised high reputation and capacity and who has an acknowledged familiarity with damage caused to sacred sites and the impact of such damage on Aboriginal people associated with such sites. Compensation payable under this clause is not dependent on the Lessor or the Land Council suffering economic loss; but shall at all times be commensurate with the level of distress, injury or trauma suffered.\n3. any such compensation shall be paid to the Land Council on behalf of those persons; and\n4. in any event restore the sacred site to such condition as the Land Council in consultation with the Traditional Aboriginal Owners shall determine.\n\n\n1. in full consultation with the Lessor, to complete by the thirty first day of December two thousand (2000) a plan of environmental rehabilitation, in respect of the site known as Guratba (Coronation Hill) and other mine sites and associated workings in the Leased Area, so as to limit and where possible reverse the impact on the environment of any mining activities previously carried out thereon. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing such plan shall address:\n\n\n\n\n\n1. removal as may be required by the Lessor, of all plant, machinery, equipment, refuse, debris or rubbish presently at each site which is not part of the natural environment of the site;\n2. measures to minimise soil erosion at each site (including containment of mine waste);\n3. establishment of a stable ecosystem of indigenous flora at each site, both to replace lost flora and to contribute to sub-paragraph (ii) hereof;\n4. sealing of drill holes, mining shafts and trenches as required by the Lessor;\n5. control and eradication of weeds and animals in accordance with sub-clause 13(3) hereof; and\n6. such other measures as may be agreed by the parties from time to time; and the Lessee shall use its best endeavours to fully implement such plan of environmental rehabilitation by the 31st day of December, two thousand and fifteen (2015).\n\n\nDisposal of Park Equipment\n\n1. (1) Subject to any lawful obligation imposed upon the Lessee by the Audit Act 1901 or the Finance Directions issued thereunder, if at any time during the term hereof the Lessee is desirous of disposing of its interest in any property or equipment of the Lessee used in the operation of the Park, the Lessee shall give to the Lessor for the benefit of the Lessor, the Land Council or its nominee, any Relevant Aboriginal Association and any other incorporated body the membership of which is limited to Relevant Aboriginals or groups of Relevant Aboriginals (in this clause referred to as the “permitted Aboriginal purchaser”) the right of the first refusal to purchase the said property or equipment or any part thereof subject to the following terms and conditions: -\n\n\n1. the Lessee shall give notice in writing to the Land Council of the Lessee’s intention to dispose of any such property or equipment. The notice shall constitute an offer by the Lessee to sell any such property or equipment to a permitted Aboriginal purchaser and shall specify the consideration required by the Lessee from a permitted Aboriginal purchaser for the purchase of the Lessee’s interest therein, which consideration shall not impose any more onerous an obligation or duty upon the permitted Aboriginal purchaser or require the permitted Aboriginal purchaser to pay any greater pecuniary sum than the Lessee would impose upon or require from a purchaser other than a permitted Aboriginal purchaser;\n2. within fourteen (14) days after the Lessee gives the said notice a permitted Aboriginal purchaser may give notice in writing to the Lessee of acceptance or rejection of the Lessee’s offer to sell;\n3. in the event of the giving of a notice of acceptance there shall be deemed to be a binding contract for sale by the Lessee and purchase by the permitted Aboriginal purchaser of the Lessee’s interest in the said property or equipment for the consideration stated in the Lessee’s notice;\n\n\n\n\n\n1. the purchase price shall be paid within thirty (30) days from the date on which the notice of acceptance is given to the Lessee and, if the permitted Aboriginal purchaser shall make default in payment of the purchase price or any part thereof, it shall be lawful for the Lessee at its option and without prejudice to any other legal rights or remedies that the Lessee may have, upon giving fourteen (14) days notice in writing to the permitted Aboriginal purchaser, to rescind the contract constituted pursuant to paragraph (b) and thereupon to resell the said property or equipment by public auction or private contract and any deficiency on resale together with all outgoings, costs and expenses of and incidental to resale shall immediately thereafter be made good by the particular permitted Aboriginal purchaser to the Lessee; and\n2. in the event that a notice of acceptance is not given within the time limit as aforesaid, the Lessee shall then be at liberty to sell the said property or equipment by private contract to any other person for a pecuniary sum being not less than that specified in the notice in writing given pursuant to paragraph (a) or by public auction.\n\n\n(2) In this clause “property or equipment used in the operation of the Park” means property or equipment in such categories as is agreed upon between the Land Council and the Lessee.\n\nQuiet Enjoyment\n\n1. The Lessee paying the rent hereby reserved and observing and performing the covenants on its part and the conditions contained in this Lease shall during the whole of the term quietly enjoy the Park without any interruption or disturbance by the Lessor or any person claiming by, from under or in trust for the Lessor.\n\n\nAmendment of Act, etc\n\n12 (1) Subject to sub-clause 12(4) hereof, the Lessee and the Lessor agree that the enactment of any Act or the making of any regulations (Gunlom lease only): or the coming into operation of a Plan of Management which is or are:\n\n1. inconsistent with this Lease, (and where, in the case of an Act or Regulations, such Act is or regulations are applicable to the Park); and\n2. substantially detrimental to the interests of the Lessor or Relevant Aboriginals as regards the administration, management or control of the Park,\n\n\nshall be deemed to be a breach of a fundamental term of this Lease for which this Lease may (subject to sub-clause 12(2)) be terminated on eighteen (18) months notice in writing (“a termination notice”) by the Lessor to the Lessee.\n\n (2) (i) Where the Lessor by notice in writing advises the Lessee of an alleged breach of sub-clause (1) hereof, the parties shall meet in Darwin or such other place as agreed within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the notice by the Lessee (“the thirty (30) day period”) to discuss whether there has been a breach of sub-clause (1);\n\n\n\n\n1. where the Lessor is ready, willing and able to meet with the Lessee but the parties do not meet within the thirty (30) day period due to the wilful neglect failure or refusal by the Lessee, then the said alleged breach shall be deemed to be an actual breach of sub-clause (1), provided however that where the failure to meet is occasioned by the Lessor or by factors beyond the control of the Lessee or the Lessor then the parties shall meet at such other time as is mutually agreed upon but in any event within thirty (30) days of the expiration of the initial thirty (30) day period;\n2. where the parties agree within the thirty (30) day period or any extension thereof that the said alleged breach is an actual breach, there shall be deemed to be an actual breach of sub-clause(1);\n3. where the parties meet but do not agree within the thirty (30) day period or any extension thereof that the said alleged breach is an actual breach the question of whether the said alleged breach is an actual breach shall be referred to arbitration pursuant to clause 17; 201.\n4. if there is deemed to be an actual breach or if an arbitrator finds that there is an actual breach, the Lessor may as from the date of the deeming or the finding (as the case may be) (“the trigger date”) issue a termination notice.\n\n\n(3) Where a termination notice is issued, representatives of the Land Council and the Lessee shall as soon as possible within the period of the notice, meet and enter into bona fide negotiations with a view to the grant of a new lease.\n\n(4) Where, within one hundred and eighty (180) days after the trigger date, a termination notice is not issued as provided in sub-clause 12(2) then the Lessor, representatives of the Land Council and the Lessee shall meet to discuss whether to vary any provisions of this Lease including the rent, but not including the term.\n\n(5) Clauses 16 and 17 shall not apply to any negotiations entered into under sub-clause 12(3).\n\n(6) (i) Where the Act or regulations giving rise to a termination notice is amended prior to termination of this Lease so as to no longer offend against sub-clause 12(1), the said termination notice shall immediately upon commencement of the amending Act or regulation, cease to have any force or effect.\n\n1. Where the parties fail to agree that the amended Act or regulations no longer offend against sub-clause 12(1) the disagreement will upon notice by either party be referred to arbitration pursuant to Clause 17.\n2. Time shall not run with respect to the termination notice from the date of the notice referred to in paragraph 12(6)(ii) until the date of the finding by the arbitrator.\n\n\n(7) Without limiting the generality of the meaning of the term “substantially detrimental to the interests of the Lessor or Relevant Aboriginals as regards the administration, management or control of the Park” an actual or proposed transfer, assignment, sublease or parting with possession of the Park or any part of the Park by the Lessee without the consent in writing of the Lessor shall at all times be substantially detrimental to the interests of the Lessor or Relevant Aboriginals as regards the administration, management or control of the Park.\n\n\n\n\nPark to be managed in accordance with the Act, etc.\n\n13 (1) The Lessor and the Lessee agree that the Park shall be subject to administration, management and control in accordance with this Lease, the Act, regulations made under the Act and with the Plan of Management in force in relation to the Park pursuant to the Act.\n\n (2) The Lessee covenants that the flora, fauna, cultural heritage and natural environment of the Park shall be preserved, managed and maintained according to the best comparable management practices established for National Parks anywhere in the world or where no comparable management practices exist, to the highest standards practicable.\n\n (3) Without limiting the generality of sub-clause 13(2):\n\n1. the Lessee shall use his best endeavours to control and eradicate infestations of Mimosa pigra, Salvinia molesta (and Calatropis procera - Gunlom lease only) in the Park:\n2. the Lessee shall protect known Aboriginal rock art sites from damage caused by natural occurrences including fire and water; and\n3. the Lessee shall use his best endeavours to control and eradicate infestations of cane toads (Bufo marinus) in the Park. (Gunlom lease only)\n\n\nLessee’s indemnity\n\n1. The Lessee shall indemnify the Lessor, its servants, agents or invitees (to the extent that the Lessor, its servants, agents or invitees is not or are not negligent) against all actions and claims whatsoever that may be brought, made or prosecuted against the Lessor, its servants, agents or invitees in respect of any action or claim arising out of any act or omission (whether negligent or otherwise) of the Lessee, its servants agents or invitees in or in relation to the Park.\n\n\nTermination\n\n1. This Lease may be terminated in writing at any time with the agreement of both the Lessor and the Lessee.\n\n\nVariation\n\n1. (1) The Lessor and the Lessee may from time to time by agreement in writing add to, substitute for, cancel or vary any of the provisions of this Lease.\n\n\n(2) The Lessee shall at least once every five years meet with the representatives of the Lessor and the Land Council to review the provisions of this Lease excepting the term, and\n\n1. if the Lessor and the Lessee agree upon any variation to this Lease, the Land Council shall direct the Lessor to execute any or all documents necessary or desirable to give full effect to the variation;\n\n\n\n\n\n1. if the Lessor and the Lessee fail to agree upon any variation to this Lease proposed by either party, the disagreement may, at the option of either party, be referred to arbitration by a barrister or solicitor of ten (10) years standing agreed between the parties or failing agreement, a person nominated by the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia; or if the said Judge fails to nominate an arbitrator within thirty (30) days after having been requested in writing by one of the parties so to do, by an arbitrator nominated by the President for the time being of the Law Council of Australia or its successor;\n2. in determining the question of any variation to this Lease, the provisions of the Commercial Arbitration Act (NT) shall apply and the arbitrator shall have regard to the following matters:\n 1. the preservation and protection of Aboriginal ways of life, culture and tradition;\n 2. the interests, proposals, opinions and wishes of the Relevant Aboriginals in relation to the management, use and control of the Park;\n 3. the growth and development of Aboriginal social, cultural and economic structures;\n 4. freedom of access to the Park by Relevant Aboriginals and their freedom to carry out in the Park rites, ceremonies and other activities in accordance with Aboriginal tradition;\n 5. the preservation of the natural environment;\n 6. the use of the Park for tourist activities; and\n 7. the duties, functions and responsibilities of the Lessee in relation to the Park; and\n3. not withstanding any of the foregoing, the arbitrator’s determination shall:\n 1. preserve the benefits and the essential rights conferred on the Lessor by this Lease, and\n 2. not reduce the payments or the rates of payments payable in accordance with Clauses 7 and 8.\n\n\nArbitration\n\n1. If a dispute arises between the Lessor and the Lessee or between the Land Council and the Lessee in respect of matters to be agreed, formulated, discussed or requested pursuant to the Lease then either party may serve notice upon the other requiring that it submit the dispute to arbitration and thereupon the provisions of paragraph 16(2) (a) to (d) shall apply mutatis mutandis.\n\n\nParties to negotiate five years before expiry\n\n1. The Lessor and the Lessee agree that they will enter into negotiations for the renewal or extension of the term of this Lease not later than five years before its expiration.\n\n\n\n\n\nResearch and exchange of Information\n\n1. (1) The Lessee agrees to permit and direct persons from time to time chosen by the Lessee, after consultation with the Land Council, being persons employed by the Lessee or under his authority, to assist the Land Council or a person authorised in writing by the Land Council in respect of any reasonable programmeme involving the identification and recording of Aboriginal sacred sites within the Park.\n\n\n(2) The Lessee shall provide reasonable equipment and facilities for persons who are in accordance with sub-clause (1) permitted and directed to assist in the identification and recording of Aboriginal sacred sites within the Park.\n\n(3) The Lessee agrees to make available to the Chairman of the Land Council or any person authorised in writing by the Land Council, access to all information relating to the Park including research reports sponsored, procured or supported by the Lessee that are in the possession of the Lessee other than information that would be privileged from production in litigation and information the disclosure of which would in the opinion of the Lessee, involve an unreasonable invasion of the privacy of an individual, or which is otherwise exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 whether or not that Act applies to the information.\n\n(4) The Lessor agrees that the Land Council may make available to the Lessee or a person duly authorised in writing by the Lessee, all information of the Lessor relating to the Park including research reports sponsored, procured or supported by the Land Council that are in the possession of the Land Council other than information that would be privileged from production in litigation and information the disclosure of which would, in the opinion of the Land Council, involve an unreasonable invasion of the privacy of an individual or which is otherwise exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 whether or not that Act applies to the information.\n\n(5) The use of Aboriginal Cultural Material relating to the Leased Area and which is in the possession, custody or control of the Lessee, shall be subject to the memorandum of understanding dated the twelfth day of May 1995 and made between the Land Council and the Lessee a copy of which is attached hereto as Annexure B. (Gunlom lease only)\n\nDevelopments in the Park\n\n1. (1) The Lessor and the Lessee agree that the Land Council and the Lessee shall meet from time to time to formulate written policy in respect of environmental evaluation of proposed developments in the Park.\n\n\n(2) A proposed development shall not take place except in accordance with any policy formulated under this clause.\n\n\n\n\nAboriginal training and employment\n\n1. (1) The Lessee agrees:\n\n\n1. to implement an Aboriginal training programmeme for Aboriginal persons resident in the Region the broad objectives of which are agreed with the Land Council comprising training in skills relevant to all levels of administration, planning, management and control of the Park;\n2. to employ training officers in the Park whenever necessary, and to give preference in employment of such officers to suitably qualified Relevant Aboriginals;\n3. subject to giving preference to Relevant Aboriginals, to use its best endeavours to employ in the Park in positions which are appropriate having regard to qualifications acquired in participation in the Aboriginal training programmeme, all persons who complete a course of the programmeme or, where such positions are not available, to assist in finding comparable employment;\n4. to provide appropriate and reasonable resources (including staff, training, facilities and accommodation) for Aboriginal trainees;\n5. in the Aboriginal training programmeme, to offer a course in ranger training, and land management skills up to and including, where appropriate, those required to fill the positions of District Supervisor and Park Superintendent or alternatively to provide such training by outside placement;\n6. to actively seek to achieve that at the earliest practicable opportunity during the term of this Lease the majority of permanent employment positions in the Park are held by suitably qualified Relevant Aboriginals; and\n7. to such extent as is practicable, provide for continuing training in appropriate skills including literacy and numeracy for Aboriginal persons employed in permanent positions in the Park.\n\n\n(2) The Lessee agrees: -\n\n1. to procure that from time to time (but no later that 6 months after commencement of duties of any member of the Park staff) each member of the Park staff involved in administration, planning, management and control of the Park attend a cross cultural course the broad objectives of which are agreed with the Land Council;\n2. in the Aboriginal training programmeme and subsequent employment, to place particular emphasis on Aboriginality and Aboriginal land management practices;\n3. to take all practicable steps to adjust working hours and conditions to the needs and culture of Aboriginals employed in the Park.\n\n\nFunding\n\n1. (1) Subject to the Act the Lessee shall from monies lawfully available to the Lessee pay to the Board such moneys as are reasonably required for the administration of the Board and for the payment of any reasonable expenses incurred by members of the Board in the performance of their duties (herein collectively referred to as “the administrative costs of the Board”).\n\n\n\n\n\n(2) The Lessee shall not make a payment under sub-clause 22 (1) unless and until the Board is empowered to receive and expend such payment.\n\n(3) This clause does not have operation to the extent that the administrative costs of the Board are met from another source or sources, including an appropriation by the Parliament.\n\nStaffing\n\n1. (1) The Lessee will at all times use its best endeavours to maintain staff within the Park at the level and designations of staff requirements provided for in the Plan of Management.\n\n\n(2) Subject to the Public Service Act 1922 and industrial awards and agreements, the Lessee agrees that arrangements existing at the commencement of this Lease in respect of Aboriginal representation on staff selection panels shall continue for the term of this Lease.\n\n(3) If by operation of law sub-clause 23(2) is held to be of no force or effect, the Lessee agrees to consult with the Land Council concerning the procedures for selection and appointment of any permanent staff in the Park where duties and functions will involve substantial involvement with park administration management or control.\n\n(4) Where levels of staff in the Park fall significantly below those referred to in subclause 23(1) the Lessee and the Land Council shall meet and discuss matters arising as a result of the staff levels.\n\nLiquor Licences\n\n1. Insofar as the Lessee by virtue of any powers vested in it has any control over liquor distribution or consumption in the Park the Lessee shall consult with and have regard to the views of the Land Council in the exercising of those powers.\n\n\nRestrictions on access\n\n1. (1) The Land Council may request the Lessee to restrict access to areas of the Park for the purposes of Aboriginal use of those areas.\n\n\n(2) Where the Lessee is empowered to so restrict access to areas of the Park he shall accede to any reasonable request under sub-clause 25(1).\n\n(3) The Lessee acknowledges that the Leased Area is part of the sacred site known as “Sickness Country” and in so far as his powers and duties under the Act allow he shall use his best endeavours to comply with Relevant Aboriginal tradition regarding access to sacred sites and agrees to establish a protocol with the Relevant Aborigines regarding such access.\n\n\n\n\n(4) In respect of the parts of the Leased Area which are sacred sites registered under the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 and are shown shaded solid red on the plan attached hereto as Annexure A and in so far as the Lessee’s powers and duties under the Act allow, the Lessee shall not permit access by the public nor carry out works such as earthworks, stoneworks or works on Aboriginal rock art thereon save with the prior written permission of the Land Council which may only be given after the Land Council has consulted the Traditional Aboriginal Owners of Sickness Country and is satisfied that they as a group consent. Such permission may be given on reasonable terms and conditions including conditions such as time of entry, persons permitted to enter and/or that persons must be accompanied by a representative of or a cultural adviser selected by such Traditional Aboriginal Owners.\n\n(5) In respect of the parts of the Leased Area shown hatched in blue on the said plan, the Lessee shall, in so far as practicable, restrict entry by members of the public to those persons who have obtained prior written permission from the Lessee. (6) If the Lessor so requests, the Lessee shall provide to the Lessor or his nominee, reasonable funding for such cultural adviser, including but not limited to: a salary equivalent to AS04 in the Commonwealth Public Service; normal employment overheads; and reasonable travel and accommodation expenses.\n\n(7) Such permission and conditions of entry to Sickness Country may be incorporated into an agreed Plan of Management if such Traditional Aboriginal Owners so agree.\n\nService of Notices, &c.\n\n1. (1) Any notice, request, consent approval, communication or other document (in this clause called a “communication”) to be given under this Lease shall be in writing addressed as follows:\n\n\nIf to the Lessor - [address]\n\nIf to the Lessee - [address]\n\nIf to the Northern Land Council - [address]\n\nIf to the Board - As notified in writing by the Board\n\nor to such other address as the relevant party or body may nominate by notice to each other party or body\n\n(2) Each communication shall be delivered by hand, or mailed by pre-paid registered post, or sent by telegram or facsimile transmission, to the address of the party or body to which it is being given and shall be deemed to have been given –\n\n1. if received before 4:00pm on a business day - when it is received; and\n2. if received at any other time - on the business day next following the day of receipt.\n\n\n\n\n\nDefinition of terms\n\n1. (1) In this Lease: -\n\n\n“ Aboriginal” means a person who is a member of the Aboriginal race of Australia;\n\n“Aboriginal Cultural Material” has the same meaning as in the memorandum of understanding dated 12th May 1995, made between the Land Council and the Lessee a copy of which is attached hereto as Annexure B. (Gunlom lease only) “Aboriginal Land” has the same meaning as in the Land Rights Act; 208. “Aboriginal tradition” has the same meaning as in the Land Rights Act,\n\n“the Act” means the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975;\n\n“Board” means the Board established in relation to Kakadu National Park in accordance with the Act;\n\n“Cultural Adviser” means the person nominated by the Traditional Aboriginal Owners in accordance with the provisions of sub-clause 25(4). (Gunlom lease only)\n\n“Former Lease” means those leases in the Registrar Book at the Land Titles Office, Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia being instruments No. 79731, No. 79732 and No. 79733. (Kakadu lease only)\n\n“Land Council” means Northern Land Council established under the Land Rights Act or any other Land Council that may be established for the area in accordance with section 21 of the Land Rights Act;\n\n“Land Rights Act” means the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976;\n\n“Land Trust” means an Aboriginal Land Trust constituted under section 4 of the Land Rights Act;\n\n“Leased Area” means the area of land the subject of this Lease being part of Northern Territory Portion 4774 more particularly shown on plan S95/212 which has been deposited at the Land Titles Office, Darwin, being the whole of the land comprised in the Grant Registered Volume 477 folio 049. (Gunlom lease only)\n\n“Lessor” includes the Lessor’s successors, assigns, servants, agents and contractors.(Gunlom lease only)\n\n“Lessee” includes the Lessee’s successors, permitted assigns, employees, licensees, invitees, servants, agents and contractors. (Gunlom lease only)\n\n“the Park” unless the context otherwise admits, means so much of Kakadu National Park as is leased to the Lessee from an Aboriginal Land Trust whether by this Lease or another lease;\n\n“Region” has the same meaning as in paragraph (1) of the definition of “Region” in section 3 of the Act;\n\n\n\n\n“Relevant Aboriginals” means all the traditional Aboriginal owners of the Park and the Aboriginals entitled to enter upon or use or occupy the Park in accordance with Aboriginal tradition governing the rights of that Aboriginal or group of Aboriginals with respect to the Park whether or not those rights are qualified as to place, time, circumstances, purpose, permission or any other factor and the Aboriginals permitted by them to reside in the Park;\n\n“Relevant Aboriginal Association” means any incorporated Aboriginal Association or group whose members live in or are Relevant Aboriginals in relation to the Park; 209. “Sickness Country” means the Bula Sickness Country as identified on the map attached as Annexure A to this Agreement. (Gunlom lease only)\n\n“sacred site” has the same meaning as in the Land Rights Act; “Plan of Management” has the same meaning as in the Act;\n\n“Traditional Aboriginal Owners” has the same meaning as in the Land Rights Act;\n\n (2) Unless the contrary intention appears this Lease shall be interpreted in accord with the provisions of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 of the Commonwealth of Australia, where applicable, as if this Lease were an Act.\n\nIN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Memorandum of Lease.\n\nthe 27th day of March 1991 (Kakadu and Jabiluka leases)\n\nthe 20th day of May 1996 (Gunlom lease only).\n\nAnnexure A\n\nPlan of Leased Area showing Sickness Country, Registered sacred sites and areas where public access need not be by permit.\n\nAnnexure B\n\nMemorandum of Understanding of 12 May 1995\n\n\nAnnexure A – Sickness country\n\n\n\n# Annexure B\n\nTo Lease by Gunlom Aboriginal Land Trust to the Director of National Parks and Wildlife\n\nMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING\n\nREGARDING THE CONTROL OF\n\nABORIGINAL CULTURAL MATERIAL\n\nIN KAKADU NATIONAL PARK\n\n1. This Memorandum of Understanding sets out agreed arrangements for the control of Aboriginal cultural material from Kakadu National Park which is within the custody, power or control of the Director of National Parks and Wildlife.\n2. For the purpose of this memorandum;\n\n\n“Aboriginal” means a person who is a member of the Aboriginal race of Australia.\n\n“Aboriginal Cultural Material” includes;\n\n1. archaeological sites, rock art (including paintings, carvings, engravings and imprints), wooden and stone implements and other physical artefacts produced by Aboriginal people as a result of the traditional use of land within Kakadu National Park;\n2. photographs (including negatives), video and cinemagraphic recordings of Aboriginal people, their living areas, archaeological sites, rock art and physical material;\n3. audio recordings of Aboriginals;\n4. unpublished printed material, field notes, maps and computer data containing information relating to the traditional use or occupation of Kakadu by Aboriginals; and\n5. human, animal and plant remains that are of significance to Aboriginal people within the possession, custody or control of the Director.\n\n\n“the Act” means the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975.\n\n“the Committee” means the Bining Heritage Management Committee established by the traditional owners of Kakadu to act on their behalf in relation to the control of their cultural heritage or such other body as is approved by the traditional Aboriginal owners of Kakadu, as a group, to fulfil that function.\n\n“the Director” means the Director of National Parks and Wildlife and includes his servants, agents and delegates.\n\n“Kakadu” means Kakadu National Park.\n\n“Recording” means any physical recording, representation or depiction of Aboriginal cultural material or ceremony, and includes written records, pictorial representations, audio tapes, photographs, films, video tapes, and digital recordings.\n\n “Regulations” means the National Parks and Wildlife Regulations.\n\n1. This memorandum is subject to and should be read in accordance with the Act, the Regulations and the Plan of Management for Kakadu.\n2. The terms used in the memorandum are to have the same meaning as in the Act and the Regulations unless otherwise defined herein.\n3. Under the Act a function of the Director is the administration, management and control of Kakadu National Park.\n4. It is the function of the Northern Land Council to protect the interests of traditional Aboriginal owners of, and other Aboriginals interested in, Aboriginal Land in its area. It is also a function of the Northern Land Council to assist Aboriginals in taking measures likely to assist in the protection of sacred sites on land (whether or not Aboriginal Land) in its area.\n5. The Director will as soon as practicable establish and thereafter maintain, in a manner approved by the Committee, a register of all Aboriginal cultural material in Kakadu.\n6. The Director will in conjunction with, and subject to the approval of, the Committee develop a protocol for access to the register.\n7. The Director will take all practicable steps to ensure that;\n 1. members of the public who visit Kakadu are made aware that Aboriginal people are sensitive to being photographed and to their land, living areas, sacred sites and other cultural material such as ceremonies or rock art being photographed;\n 2. any Recording made by Kakadu staff, contractors and consultants in the course of their official duties is only to be on material owned and supplied by the Director and that those materials remain the property of and in the control of the Director, for access and use only in accordance with the terms of this memorandum and as approved by the Committee;\n 3. any Recording of Aboriginal Cultural Material will not be published without the consent of the Committee;\n 4. all cultural research permits issued in Kakadu have the prior approval of the Committee;\n 5. it shall be made a condition of grants of all cultural research permits that the permit holders acknowledge that any Recording remains under the control of the Director and cannot be used or published without his prior written consent and the Committee’s approval;\n 6. it shall be made a condition of grants of all commercial film permits that the use of any Recording for advertising purposes must have the prior written consent of the Director and the Committee’s approval.\n8. The Director will do everything practicable to provide appropriate storage areas for Aboriginal cultural material in Kakadu.\n9. The Director will support the efforts of traditional owners and other Aboriginal people to secure the return of Aboriginal cultural material that has been removed from Kakadu.\n10. The Directors will not transfer control of any Aboriginal cultural material to any other person without the consent of the Committee.\n11. The Director and the Committee will develop a protocol for staff, contractors and consultants dealings with Aboriginal cultural material and Recordings and the Director will require staff, contractors and consultants to give their written agreement to abide by the protocol.\n12. The parties acknowledge that nothing in this memorandum is intended to affect any native title to Aboriginal cultural material.\n13. The parties to this memorandum may, by agreement, review and if necessary modify or vary the terms of this memorandum from time to time as necessary.\n\n\n \n\nDATED the Twelfth day of May 1995.\n\n# Appendix J\n\n# Species of conservation concern\n\nConservation status codes: CR = critically endangered; EN = endangered; VU = vulnerable.\n\nEPBC Act = Status under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999\n\nTPWC Act = Status under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (NT)\n\nIUCN = Status on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species\n\n- Common name Scientific name Status Habitat\n- EPBC Act TPWC Act IUCN\n- Plants\n- (a shrub) Acacia sp. Graveside Gorge1 CR CR Stone country\n- (a fern) Bolbitis quoyana VU Stone country\n- (a cycad) Cycas armstrongii2 VU VU Lowland woodlands\n- (an orchid) Dienia montana3 VU Rainforest\n- (a vine) Freycinetia excelsa VU Rainforest\n- (a shrub) Hibbertia brennanii VU Stone country\n- (a shrub) Hibbertia pancerea VU Stone country\n- (a shrub) Hibbertia sp. South Magela VU Stone country\n- (a shrub) Hibbertia tricornis VU Stone country\n- (a shrub) Hibiscus brennanii VU VU Stone country\n- (a shrub) Jacksonia divisa VU Stone country\n- (a shrub) Lithomyrtus linariifolia VU Stone country\n- (an aquatic herb) Monochoria hastata VU Floodplains\n- (a sub-shrub) Sauropus filicinus VU Stone country\n- (a bladderwort) Utricularia dunstaniae VU Lowland woodlands\n- Invertebrates\n- (a decapod crustacean) Leptopalaemon gibbosus VU Stone country creek\n- (a decapod crustacean) Leptopalaemon glabrus CR Stone country creek\n- (a decapod crustacean) Leptopalaemon magelensis VU Stone country creek\n- Top End dragon (a dragonfly) Antipodogomphus dentosus VU Stone country\n- Kakadu vicetail (a dragonfly) Hemigomphus magela VU Stone country\n- Rock narrow-wing (a dragonfly) Lithosticta macra VU Stone country\n\n\n\n\n\n- Common name Scientific name Status Habitat\n- EPBC Act TPWC Act IUCN\n- Fish\n- Northern river shark Glyphis garricki4 EN EN CR Marine, estuaries, rivers\n- Speartooth shark Glyphis glyphis5 CR VU EN Marine, estuaries, rivers\n- Dwarf sawfish Pristis clavata VU VU EN Marine, estuaries, rivers\n- Largetooth sawfish Pristis pristis6 VU VU CR Marine, estuaries, rivers, floodplain\n- Narrow sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidata EN Marine, estuaries, rivers\n- Reptiles\n- Flatback turtle Natator depressus VU Marine\n- Green turtle Chelonia mydas VU EN Marine\n- Olive Ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea EN VU Marine\n- Hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata VU VU CR Marine\n- Loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta EN VU EN Marine\n- Yellow-snouted gecko Lucasium occultum7 EN VU Lowland woodlands\n- Arnhem Land skink Bellatorias obiri8 EN VU Stone country\n- Merten’s water monitor Varanus mertensi VU Rivers, wetlands\n- Mitchell’s water monitor Varanus mitchelli VU Rivers, wetlands\n- Yellow-spotted monitor Varanus panoptes VU Lowland woodlands, floodplain\n- Plains death adder Acanthophis hawkei EN VU Floodplain\n- Oenpelli python Morelia oenpelliensis VU Stone country\n- Birds\n- Partridge pigeon Geophaps smithii VU9 VU VU Lowland woodlands\n- Red goshawk Erythrotriorchis radiatus VU VU Lowland woodlands, rivers, wetlands\n- Grey falcon Falco hypoleucos VU VU Lowland woodlands, floodplain\n- Greater sand plover (Mongolian) Charadrius leschenaultii leschenaultii VU Marine, estuaries\n\n\n\n\n\n- Common name Scientific name Status Habitat\n- EPBC Act TPWC Act IUCN\n- Lesser sand plover Charadrius mongolus VU Marine, estuaries\n- Australian painted snipe Rostratula australis2 EN VU EN Rivers, wetlands\n- Bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica baueri VU Marine, estuaries\n- Eastern curlew Numenius madagascariensis VU VU Marine, estuaries\n- Asian dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus2 VU Marine, estuaries\n- Red knot Calidris canutus VU Marine, estuaries\n- Great knot Calidris tenuirostris VU VU Marine, estuaries\n- Curlew sandpiper Calidris ferruginea VU Marine, estuaries, floodplain\n- Masked owl (northern) Tyto novaehollandiae kimberli VU VU Lowland woodlands\n- White-throated grass-wren Amytornis woodwardi VU VU Stone country\n- Yellow chat (Alligator Rivers subspecies) Epthianura crocea tunneyi EN EN Floodplain\n- Crested shrike-tit (northern) Falcunculus frontatus whitei VU Lowland woodlands\n- Gouldian finch Erythrura gouldiae EN VU Lowland woodlands\n- Mammals\n- Northern quoll Dasyurus hallucatus EN CR EN Stone country, lowland woodlands\n- Northern brush-tailed Phascogale Phascogale pirata VU EN VU Lowland woodlands\n- Fawn antechinus Antechinus bellus EN Lowland woodlands\n- Golden bandicoot Isoodon auratus10 VU EN VU Stone country\n- Nabarlek Petrogale concinna VU Stone country\n- Ghost bat Macroderma gigas VU Stone country, lowland woodlands\n- Arnhem leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros inornatus VU VU Stone country\n- Northern leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros stenotis VU Stone country\n- Bare-rumped sheath-tailed bat Saccolaimus saccolaimus nudicluniatus CR Lowland woodlands\n- Brush-tailed rabbit-rat Conilurus penicillatus VU EN Lowland woodlands\n- Black-footed tree-rat Mesembriomys gouldii VU Lowland woodlands\n- Golden-backed tree-rat Mesembriomys macrurus10 VU CR Stone country, lowland woodlands, rainforest\n- Northern hopping-mouse Notomys aquilo10 VU VU EN Stone country, lowland woodlands\n- Kakadu pebble-mouse Pseudomys calabyi VU Lowland woodlands\n- Arnhem rock-rat Zyzomys maini VU VU Stone country, rainforest\n- Water mouse Xeromys myoides10 VU VU Rivers, wetlands, floodplain, marine, estuaries\n- Pale field-rat Rattus tunneyi VU Stone country, lowland woodlands\n- Dugong Dugong dugon VU Marine\n- Dingo Canis lupus dingo VU Stone country, lowland woodlands, floodplain\n- Ecological communities\n- Arnhem Plateau Sandstone Shrubland Complex EN Stone country\n\n\n \n\nNotes:\n\n1 Acacia equisetifola Maslin & Cowie ined.;\n\n2 Occurrence in Kakadu may require further confirmation;\n\n3 Formerly known as Malaxis latifolia, and recent taxonomic revision suggests that it may be renamed again as Dienia ophrydis (Margonska & Kowalkowska 2008);\n\n4 Formerly known as Glyphis sp. C;\n\n5 Formerly known as Glyphis sp. A;\n\n6 Formerly known as Pristis microdon;\n\n7 Formerly known as Diplodactylus occultus;\n\n8 Formerly known as Egernia obiri;\n\n9 As eastern subspecies G. s. smithii;\n\n10 No confirmed records from Kakadu for at least 30 years\n\nSource: Woinarski et al. 2014\n\n\n\n\n# Bibliography\n\nAtkins, S & Winderlich, S (eds) (2010). Kakadu National Park Landscape Symposia Series 2007–2009. Symposium 3: Fire management, 23–24 April 2008, Aurora Kakadu (South Alligator), Kakadu National Park. Internal Report 566, February, Supervising Scientist, Darwin.\n\nChaloupka, G (1993). Journey in time: the world’s longest continuing art tradition: the 50,000 year story of the Australian Aboriginal rock art of Arnhem Land. Reed, Chatswood.\n\nDirector of National Parks (2004). Kakadu National Park crocodile strategy. Australian Government, Jabiru.\n\nDirector of National Parks (2008). Guidelines for environmental impact assessment in Kakadu National Park. Australian Government, Jabiru.\n\nDirector of National Parks (2009). Kakadu National Park tourism master plan 2009–2014. Australian Government, Jabiru.\n\nDirector of National Parks (2010a). Kakadu National Park climate change strategy 2010–2015. Australian Government, Jabiru.\n\nDirector of National Parks (2010b). Kakadu National Park training strategy 2009–2014. Australian Government, Jabiru.\n\nDirector of National Parks (2010c). Kakadu National Park – Fly Neighbourly Agreement. Australian Government, Jabiru.\n\nDirector of National Parks (2011a). Parks Australia sustainable tourism overview (2011–2016). Australian Government, Canberra.\n\nDirector of National Parks (2011b). Kakadu National Park integrated waste management strategy (draft). Australian Government, Jabiru.\n\nDirector of National Parks (2011c). An-garregen: A strategy for cultural heritage management in Kakadu National Park (draft). Australian Government, Jabiru.\n\nDirector of National Parks (2012). Kakadu National Park management plan 2007–2014: Technical audit summary report. Australian Government, Canberra.\n\nDirector of National Parks (2013). Kakadu research guidelines. Australian Government, Jabiru.\n\nDirector of National Parks (2014). Kakadu National Park compliance and enforcement strategy 2012–2015. Australian Government, Jabiru.\n\nDepartment of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (2011). Information sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) – 2009–2012 version: Kakadu National Park, Australian Government, Canberra.\n\nDepartment of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (2012). Indigenous Employment and Capability Strategy 2012–2014. Australian Government, Canberra.\n\nDudley, N (ed) (2008). Guidelines for applying protected area management categories. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.\n\nEC3 Global and Middle Star (2013). Australia’s timeless north national landscape: Experience development action plan. Tourism Australia.\n\nField, IC, Bradshaw, CJA & Haynes, C (eds) (2006). Feral animals in Kakadu National Park: A management strategy for the future. School for Environmental Research, Charles Darwin University. Report to the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra.\n\nFox, RW, Kelleher, GG & Kerr, CB (1977) Ranger Uranium Environmental Inquiry second report. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.\n\nHyder Consulting Pty Ltd (2008). The impacts and management implications of climate change for the Australian Government’s protected areas. Report to the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the Department of Climate Change. Department of Climate Change, Canberra.\n\nInspiring Place Pty Ltd (2013). Kakadu National Park draft walking strategy. Prepared for Parks Australia. Australian Government, Canberra.\n\nJambrecina, M (ed) (2010). Kakadu National Park Landscape Symposia Series 2007–2009. Symposium 5: Feral animal management, 3–4 December 2008, Jabiru Community Centre, Kakadu National Park. Internal Report 568, October, Supervising Scientist, Darwin.\n\nMcMahon and Associates Pty Ltd (2009). On-site energy audit of Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory. Unpublished report prepared for Kakadu National Park, Jabiru.\n\nMorse, J, King, J & Bartlett, J (2005). Walking to the future ... together: A shared vision for tourism in Kakadu National Park. Commonwealth of Australia.\n\nMurray, W (1995). Kakadu National Park land rehabilitation strategy. Unpublished internal report to the Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Jabiru.\n\nMurphy, B (2013). An evaluation of fire management in the Stone Country of Kakadu National Park. Unpublished report for Parks Australia.\n\nNational Health and Medical Research Council (2011). Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Australian Government.\n\nPetty, A, Alderson, J, Muller, R, Scheibe, O, Wilson, K & Winderlich, S (2007). Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land Plateau draft fire management plan. Kakadu National Park, Jabiru.\n\nRose, DB (1996). Nourishing terrains: Australian Aboriginal views of landscape and wilderness. Australian Heritage Commission.\n\nTourism NT (2014a). Economic contribution of tourism to the Northern Territory 2013–14, NT Tourism Satellite Account . Tourism NT, Northern Territory.\n\nTourism NT (2015a). Quickstats report: Year ending March 2015. Tourism NT, Northern Territory.\n\nTourism Research Australia (2014). Tourism Satellite Accounts 2013-2014. Tourism Research Australia, Austrade, Australian Government\n\nUNESCO (2014). Kakadu National Park: retrospective statement of outstanding universal value. \n\nWalden, D & Nou, S (eds) (2008). Kakadu National Park Landscape Symposia Series 2007–2009. Symposium 1: Landscape change overview, 17–18 April 2007, South Alligator Inn, Kakadu National Park. Internal Report 532, March, Supervising Scientist, Darwin.\n\nWilliams, RJ, Bradstock, RA, Cary, GJ, Enright, NJ, Gill, AM, Liedloff, A, Lucas, C, Whelan, RJ, Andersen, AN, Bowman, DMJS, Clarke, PJ, Cook, GD, Hennessy, K & York, A (2009). Interactions between climate change, fire regimes and biodiversity in Australia – a preliminary assessment. Report to the Department of Climate Change and the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra.\n\nWinderlich, S (ed) (2010a). Kakadu National Park Landscape Symposia Series 2007–2009. Symposium 2: Weeds management, 27–28 November 2007, Jabiru Field Station, Kakadu National Park. Internal Report 565, January, Supervising Scientist, Darwin.\n\nWinderlich, S (ed) (2010b). Kakadu National Park Landscape Symposia Series 2007–2009. Symposium 4: Climate change, 6–7 August 2008, Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, Kakadu National Park. Internal Report 567, January, Supervising Scientist, Darwin.\n\nWinderlich, S & Woinarski, J (eds) (2014). Kakadu National Park Landscape Symposia Series. Symposium 7: Conservation of threatened species, 26–27 March 2013, Bowali Visitor Centre, Kakadu National Park. Internal Report 623, June, Supervising Scientist, Darwin.\n\nWoinarski, J, Russell-Smith, J, Andersen, A & Brennan, K (2009). ‘Fire management and biodiversity of the western Arnhem Land plateau’. In J Russell-Smith, PJ Whitehead & P Cooke (eds), Culture, ecology and economy of fire management in north Australian savannas: rekindling the wurrk tradition, pp. 201–228. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.\n\nWoinarski, J & Winderlich, S (2014). A strategy for the conservation of threatened species and threatened ecological communities in Kakadu National Park, 2014–2024. Report prepared for Kakadu National Park, Jabiru.\n\nWoodward, AE (1973). Aboriginal Land Rights Commission, first report. Parliamentary Paper No. 138 of 1973. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.\n\nZurba, M, Ross, H, Izurieta, A, Rist, P, Bock, E & Berkes, F (2012). ‘Building co-management as a process: problem solving through partnerships in Aboriginal country, Australia’. Environmental Management 49, 1130–1142.\n\n\n\n\n# Map data sources\n\nAustralian Government data sources:\n\nAustralia, GEODATA COAST 100K 2004 1:100,000 © Geoscience Australia, 2004. All rights reserved.\n\nCollaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2012, Department of the Environment, 2012\n\nGEODATA TOPO250K © Geoscience Australia, 2006\n\nKakadu National Park Visitor Guide, Director of National Parks, 2008\n\nNorthern Territory Government data sources:\n\nKakadu Land Claims, 2007\n\nMonsoon Vine – Forest Distribution in the Northern Territory, 2000\n\nOther data sources:\n\nCadLite (Northern Territory Cadastre), PSMA © 2013\n\nA Jarvis, HI Reuter, A Nelson & E Guevara (2006). Hole-filled seamless SRTM data V3. International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). Available from [srtm.csi.cgiar.org](http://srtm.csi.cgiar.org)\n\nRAB Schodde, IJ Hedley & PN Martensz (1987). Vegetation habitats, Kakadu National Park, Alligator Rivers Region, Northern Territory. Report to Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service. CSIRO, Canberra.\n\n \n\n\n\n\n# Index\n\nA\n\nAboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA)\n\nAuthority Certificate from, 137\n\nand Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites, 53\n\nregister of, 51\n\nunauthorised access, 53\n\nand Indigenous research protocols, 117\n\nand review of cultural protocol documents, 37\n\nand rock art, 46\n\nAboriginal associations and corporations\n\nconsultations with re management plan, 18\n\nAboriginal businesses\n\noutsourcing of activities to, 78\n\nsee also Bininj/Mungguy businesses\n\nAboriginal custodians, 2, 4–5\n\nAboriginal land\n\nand land claims in the park (as at April 2014), 8\n\noutstations on, 119, 157\n\nthe park as, 7, 9, 10, 16, 30, 32, 36\n\nsubleases or licences, 118, 119, 131\n\nsee also land rights\n\nAboriginal Land Rights Commission (A E Woodward, 1973), 5\n\nAboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Land Rights Act), 4, 5, 9, 168\n\nand Jabiru, 120\n\nand joint management, 16\n\nand Mirarr native title claim, 121\n\nand Northern Land Council, 31\n\nand the park, 7, 32\n\nand park leases, 208\n\nand sacred sites, 51\n\nAboriginal Land Trusts\n\nand joint management, 16\n\nAboriginal society\n\nkinship and, 4\n\naccess, 162–4\n\nair access, 164\n\npolicies, 164\n\nroad access, 163\n\npolicies, 163\n\nsite access, 162\n\npolicies, 162\n\naccess restrictions, 155, 162\n\nsee also cultural closure protocols; permanent closure of visitor sites; temporary closure of visitor sites\n\naccommodation facilities, 144\n\nsee also commercial accommodation\n\nactivities see authorising and managing activities; carrying out and authorising activities not otherwise specified and new ways of authorising activities\n\nadaptive management, 147\n\nadministration and business management, 125–49\n\nadventurous activities prohibited or regulated, 155, 171\n\naerial survey techniques\n\nand feral animal control, 83\n\nAfrican pasture grasses, 72, 74\n\n\nair access, 164\n\npolicies, 164\n\naircraft\n\nEPBC Act definition, 164\n\nAirservices Australia, 164\n\nairstrips, 133, 134\n\nAlligator Rivers coastal floodplains, 13\n\nAlligator Rivers floodplains bird area, 16\n\nAlligator Rivers Region, 2\n\nland rights in, 5, 7\n\nand the park, 16\n\nand uranium mining, 5, 120\n\nuranium mining in, 95\n\nalligator weed, 80\n\nAllosyncarpia ternata (Anbinik), 63, 73, 74, 89\n\nallowable activities\n\napproval for, 153–4\n\nauthorisation of, 153–4\n\ndefinition, 153\n\nAlmudj/Alyod (in Gundjeihmi language) – Rainbow Snake, 4\n\nAmateur Fisherman’s Association of the Northern Territory\n\nconsultations with re management plan, 18\n\nAnbinik (Allosyncarpia ternata) see Allosyncarpia ternata (Anbinik)\n\nandjamun (sacred and dangerous)\n\nrock art, 44\n\nAn-garregen (cultural heritage) Strategy, 41, 43, 49\n\nAnimal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities (AMRRIC), 86\n\nanimals\n\nprohibition on bringing into the park, 83, 184–5\n\npolicies, 184–5\n\nAnlarr (Callitris), 63\n\nsee also cypress pine (Anlarr)\n\napprenticeships, 38\n\napprovals\n\nfor allowable activities, 153–4\n\n‘class approval’, 153\n\n‘individual approval’, 153\n\nsuspension or cancellation of, 154\n\nauthorising certain activities, 131\n\nApproved Plant List, 80, 82\n\naquarium fish, 86, 185\n\naquarium plants, 85\n\naquatic grassy weeds, 79\n\naquatic plants, 65\n\narchaeological sites, 15, 16, 51\n\nArnhem coast bioregion, 10\n\nArnhem Highway, 133, 163\n\nArnhem Land escarpment, 10\n\nArnhem Land Plateau, 2, 13, 60, 73\n\nArnhem Land Plateau Fire Management Plan, 88\n\nArnhem Plateau\n\nbird area, 16\n\nArnhem Plateau bioregion, 10, 15\n\nArnhem Plateau Sandstone Shrubland Complex ecological community, 63\n\n\n\n\nasbestos removal\n\nand historic sites, 55\n\nAsian water buffalo, 83, 84\n\nsee also buffalo\n\nassessment of proposals, 135–9\n\naction, 136\n\ncost recovery, 136\n\nenvironmental impact assessment matters and considerations, 138–9\n\nimpact assessment process, 137\n\npolicies, 135–6\n\nAtomic Energy Act 1953, 120\n\nAustralian Federal Police\n\nex officio wardens, 129\n\nAustralian IUCN categories, 24\n\nsee also IUCN categories\n\nAustralian IUCN management principles, 24, 166\n\nsee also IUCN management principles\n\nAustralian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998, 95\n\nAustralia’s Timeless North Experience Development Action Plan, 102, 144\n\nAustralia’s Timeless North National Landscape, 102\n\nAustralia’s Timeless North National Landscape steering committee, 107, 109, 142\n\nauthorisation of allowable activities, 153–4\n\napplication for, 154\n\npolicies, 153–4\n\nauthorising and managing activities, 131–2, 152\n\nactions, 132\n\nadministrative processes, 131\n\nmanagement issues, 131\n\npolicies, 131\n\nsee also carrying out and authorising activities not otherwise specified and new ways of authorising activities\n\n \n\nB\n\nbackpackers, 102\n\nBalanda\n\nand commercial use of plants and animals, 165\n\nconsultations with, 30\n\nand country, 35\n\nand decision-making, 30\n\nand introduction of pastoralism, 88\n\nand joint management, 29\n\nand native plants and animals, 59\n\nbarramundi, 66\n\nBartlett, Jennifer see Kakadu – Walking to the future together – A shared vision for tourism in Kakadu National Park (J Morse, J King, & J Bartlett, 2005)\n\nBatchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education\n\nand Indigenous employment, training and development, 39\n\nbelly ache bush, 80\n\nbicycle riding tracks, 105\n\nbicycles\n\nrestrictions on use of, 105, 171\n\n\nbig-headed ants, 85\n\nbilly goat plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana), 71\n\nBininj/Mungguy businesses, 13, 165\n\nand commercial tourism, 39, 106, 107, 175, 176\n\noutsourcing of feral animal and weed control to, 78, 87\n\nsee also Aboriginal businesses\n\nBininj/Mungguy contract work, 17, 35, 37, 38, 39\n\nBininj/Mungguy cultural knowledge and practices, 41, 47–50\n\nactions, 49–50\n\nexisting threats to values\n\nBininj/Mungguy access to country, 48\n\nloss of traditional knowledge, 48\n\nsocial issues, 48\n\noutcomes, 47\n\nperformance indicators, 47\n\nand research, 116\n\nvalues and condition, 48\n\nsee also Bininj/Mungguy cultural protocols, practices, laws and customs (including clan-based decision-making); Bininj/Mungguy values, traditional practices and cultural knowledge\n\nBininj/Mungguy cultural protocols, practices, laws and customs (including clan-based decision-making)\n\nand film-making and photography, 109\n\nand hunting and gathering, 168\n\nand management of the park, 30, 32, 36\n\nsee also Bininj/Mungguy cultural knowledge and practices; Bininj/Mungguy values, traditional practices and cultural knowledge\n\nBininj/Mungguy cultural sites, 11, 41, 43, 51–3\n\nexisting threats to values\n\nferal animals, 52, 53\n\nloss of traditional knowledge, 52\n\nunauthorised access, 52, 53\n\nweeds, 52, 53\n\noutcome, 51\n\nperformance indicator, 51\n\npotential threats to values\n\nclimate change, 52\n\npublic access to, 43, 162\n\nregister of, 51, 53\n\nrestrictions on access to, 51\n\nvalues and condition, 52\n\nBininj/Mungguy culture, 48\n\nmaintenance of, 49\n\nBininj/Mungguy outstations see outstations and living on country\n\nBininj/Mungguy peoples\n\naspirations to live on country, 50\n\nand Board of Management, 31\n\nand commercial use of resources, 165\n\nconsultations with, 17, 32, 35, 36\n\nand country, 9, 11, 35\n\ncultural experiences tours, 103\n\ncustomary harvest practices, 50\n\nand decision-making, 30, 35, 36\n\n\n\n\nemployment of, 13, 17, 35, 36, 37, 39\n\nand feral animals, 87\n\nand fire management, 90, 91, 94\n\nand food and other resources from rainforest, 73\n\nand implementation of management plan, 37\n\nand Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights, 49\n\ninformation for and consultation with on Board activities, 33\n\nand introduced animals, 83\n\nand Jabiru, 123\n\nand joint management, 15, 16, 28–40, 109\n\nand lease areas, 157\n\nand management of cultural information and material, 49\n\nand management of cultural values, 41, 43\n\nand native plants and animals, 59\n\nand natural heritage management programmes, 59\n\nand the park, 2, 5, 9, 10, 13, 99\n\nand park management programmes, 78\n\nand recreational boating and fishing, 96\n\nand research and monitoring activities, 116, 181\n\nand restriction on access to areas in the park, 162\n\nsee also cultural closure protocols\n\nand rock art, 44, 46\n\nand safety of visitors, 125, 126\n\nand South Alligator Valley rehabilitation plan, 95\n\nand strategy for walking in the park, 104\n\nand tourism, 39, 99, 107\n\nand traditional fire management, 66, 67\n\nand traditional hunting and gathering, 165\n\nand traditional use of land and water, 152, 162, 168–9\n\nand traditional use of plants and animals, 50, 162\n\nuse of aircraft by in wet season, 164\n\nuse of fire, 88, 90\n\nand visitor information, 110\n\nand visitors, 109\n\nand wetlands and coastal and marine areas, 66\n\nand work with researchers, 114, 115\n\nBininj/Mungguy training and other opportunities, 38–40\n\nactions, 40\n\nmanagement issues, 39\n\noutcome, 38\n\npolicies, 39\n\nBininj/Mungguy values, traditional practices and cultural knowledge\n\nand park management programmes, 78\n\npassing on to the young and future generations, 39\n\nsee also Bininj/Mungguy cultural knowledge and practices; Bininj/Mungguy cultural protocols, practices, laws and customs (including clan-based decision-making)\n\nbiodiversity, 2\n\nconservation of, 114\n\nin stone country, 13, 60\n\nthreat of weeds to, 79\n\nsee also Convention on Biological Diversity\n\nbiological control agents, 87\n\n\nbiological control techniques\n\nand weed management, 79, 80\n\nbiological resources\n\naccess to, 165, 181, 182, 183, 212, 213\n\nsee also Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization\n\nbiosecurity\n\nand feral animals, 87\n\nand weeds, 81, 82\n\nBird Areas, 16\n\nbirds, 15, 103\n\nand disease, 86\n\nendemic, 63\n\nsee also exotic birds; introduced bird species\n\nbird-watching destination, 108\n\nblack rats, 83, 85, 86\n\nblack wallaroo (Barrk), 63\n\nblack-striped mussel, 85\n\nBlair, Dr Sandy\n\nconsultations with re management plan, 18\n\nBoard consultative committees, 32\n\nsee also Kakadu Research and Management Advisory Committee (KRMAC); Kakadu Tourism Consultative Committee (KTCC)\n\nBoard of Management\n\nand Bininj/Mungguy outstations, 118\n\ncomposition of, 31, 142, 209\n\nand consultation with Bininj/Mungguy, 36\n\nand cultural heritage strategy, 43\n\nand development of new tenure arrangements for Jabiru, 122\n\nestablishment of, 209\n\nand fire management, 94\n\nfunctions of, 209\n\nand joint management, 16, 31\n\nmaking decisions and working together, 30–4\n\nand management of cultural values, 41\n\nand management of the park under EPBC Act and Regulations, 32\n\nand management plan, 17, 147, 210\n\nand Nitmiluk National Park Board of Management, 142\n\noutstations approved by, 118, 119\n\nand Shared Vision Principles, 101\n\nsupport for Board, 33\n\nand Tourism Master Plan, 96\n\nand visitor information, 110\n\nboating see recreational boating and fishing\n\nBolung (in Jawoyn language) – Rainbow Snake, 4\n\nBonn Convention, 2, 11, 16, 194\n\nbooking systems, 105, 132, 162\n\nbore sites, 134\n\nBowali Visitor Centre, 110, 112\n\nbrolga, 67\n\nBrucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign (BTEC), 83, 84\n\nbrush-tailed rabbit-rat, 84\n\n\n\n\nbuffalo, 84, 86\n\nand Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites, 53\n\nand disease, 86\n\nand floodplains, 67, 68, 69\n\nand lowlands, 71, 72\n\nand rainforest, 74, 75\n\nsee also Asian water buffalo; water buffalo\n\nBuffalo Farm, 87, 97\n\nBula (important creator), 4, 51\n\nBuladjang, or ‘Sickness Country’ see Sickness Country (Buladjang)\n\nburials\n\nresidents of the park, 168, 169\n\nBurrunggui/Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock), 60\n\nrock art, 44, 103\n\nbush tucker, 66, 67\n\nBushfires Act (NT), 89, 90, 126\n\nBushfires NT\n\nand fire history of the park, 89\n\nbushwalking, 102, 170, 171\n\nsee also walking in the park\n\nbusiness model, 145\n\nbusiness prospectus for proposed developments and projects, 145\n\nbusiness travellers, 102\n\n \n\nC\n\ncabomba, 80\n\nCahill’s Crossing on the East Alligator River\n\ndangers at, 126, 128\n\ncampfires, 170, 171\n\ncamping, 102\n\nrestrictions on, 170\n\ncamping areas, 68, 170\n\nmap, 172\n\nunregulated use of, 96\n\ncamping facilities, 177\n\ncane toads, 83, 84, 86\n\nand goannas, 115\n\nand lowlands, 71\n\nand northern quolls, 83, 115\n\nand stone country, 64\n\ncapital works and infrastructure, 133–4\n\nactions, 134\n\nmanagement issues, 133\n\npolicies, 134\n\nsee also infrastructure and works\n\ncarbon cycle, 94, 140\n\ncarbon dioxide (CO2) levels, 92\n\ncarbon footprint\n\nreduction of, 93, 94, 133, 140\n\ncarbon trading programmes\n\nand Indigenous communities, 93\n\ncarrying out and authorising activities not otherwise specified and new ways of authorising activities, 146\n\ncatchment for the major river systems in the park, 65\n\nstone country, 63\n\n\ncats, 83, 84, 86, 185\n\ndesexing of, 86\n\nand disease, 86\n\nand lowlands, 71\n\nsee also feral cats\n\ncattle, 83, 84\n\nand disease, 86\n\nand lowlands, 71\n\nCephalomenes obscurum fern, 65\n\nceremonial sites, 51, 52\n\nChairperson of Board of Management, 31\n\nCharles Darwin University, 142\n\nand Indigenous employment, training and development, 39\n\nand Knowledge for Tour Guides training, 106\n\nresearch on stone country fires, 89\n\nChestnut-quilled rock pigeon Petrophassa rufipennis, 70\n\nChina-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA), 2, 11, 16, 194\n\ncitizen science, 117\n\nclan estates\n\nand traditional owners, 4\n\nclan totems, 4\n\nclans, 4\n\nclimate change\n\nand Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites, 52\n\nand fires, 90\n\nand floodplains, 68\n\nimpact of on natural and cultural values, 115\n\nand lowlands, 72\n\nand tropical savannas, 79\n\nwarming and weather effects, 92\n\nclimate change – park-wide threats affecting values, 76, 92–4\n\nactions, 94\n\nmanagement issues\n\ncumulative impact of threats, 93\n\ninfrastructure costs, 93\n\nknowledge gaps, 93\n\nscale and ability to overcome threats, 93\n\nthreats to human health, 93\n\noutcome, 92\n\nperformance indicators, 92\n\npolicies, 93–4\n\nclimate change strategy, 93, 94\n\nclimate change symposium, 93\n\nclimate change vulnerability assessment of the South Alligator River catchment, 93\n\ncoastal areas of the park, 66\n\ncoastal floodplains, 13\n\ncoastal rainforest, 73\n\ncoastal vegetation, 67\n\ncoffee bush (Senna occidentalis), 80\n\ncommercial accommodation, 177\n\npolicies, 177\n\ncommercial activity licences, 107, 131, 132, 153\n\nfees, 144\n\n\n\n\ncommercial activity licensing policy, 106\n\ncommercial boating, 176\n\ncommercial crabbing, 179\n\ncommercial film and media projects, 108, 109, 178\n\ncommercial fishing, 66, 176, 179\n\nillegal, 68\n\npolicies, 179\n\ncommercial flights, 164\n\ncommercial image capture survey, 108\n\ncommercial operations, 144\n\nleases and subleases for, 153\n\ncommercial permits, 132\n\ncommercial taking or harvesting of wildlife or plants, 165–7\n\ncommercial tenancies\n\nrent, 144\n\ncommercial tour guides\n\naccuracy of their information, 112\n\ninduction/training programme, 106, 107\n\ntraining, 175\n\nsee also tour guide certification\n\ncommercial tour operations, 106\n\ncommercial tour operators, 175\n\naccreditation, 176\n\ninduction/training programme, 106, 107\n\ncommercial tour permits, 132\n\ncommercial tourism, 13, 15, 32, 99, 106–7, 175–6\n\nactions, 107\n\nauthorisation and management of, 130, 131\n\nBininj/Mungguy and, 39\n\nline of sight, 100\n\nmanagement issues, 107\n\noutcomes, 106\n\nperformance indicators, 106\n\npolicies, 107, 176\n\npromotion of, 107\n\nreview of, 131\n\nsee also tourism\n\ncommercial tours in the park, 106\n\ncommercial use of resources, 165–7\n\nplants and animals, 165–7\n\npolicies, 165–7\n\nCommonwealth Fraud Control Guidelines, 129\n\nCommonwealth Heritage listing, 9, 15, 213, 214\n\nCommonwealth land\n\nthe park as, 212\n\nCommonwealth reserve\n\ncontrol of actions in, 211–12\n\nthe park as, 7, 208\n\nCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)\n\nClimate Adaptation Flagship, 142\n\ncommunity understanding and awareness of fire, 90\n\ncompliance and enforcement, 129–30\n\ncompliance and enforcement strategy, 130, 132\n\nconservation\n\nnational significance, 15\n\nregional significance, 13\n\n\nConservation Volunteers Australia, 142\n\nconsultation guidelines, 37\n\ncontrolled actions, 135, 136\n\nConvention on Biological Diversity, 193\n\nConvention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals see Bonn Convention\n\nConvention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat see Ramsar Convention\n\nCooinda\n\nand commercial accommodation, 177\n\nCooinda airstrip, 133\n\nCooinda Road, 133\n\ncooperative promotion and marketing strategy\n\nwith tourism industry, 109\n\nCoronation Hill\n\nmining lease, 9\n\nsee also Guratba (Coronation Hill)\n\ncountry\n\nconcept of, 9, 11\n\ndecision-making about, 5\n\nmaking decisions and working together on, 35–7\n\ncountry values, 9–10, 12, 21\n\nlooking after country, 57–75\n\nline of sight, 58\n\nnatural values, 57\n\nobjective, 57\n\noverarching principles for managing natural values, 59\n\nsee also natural values\n\ncrabbing see commercial crabbing\n\ncreation\n\nAboriginal story, 2, 4\n\nCreation Ancestors, 4, 5, 44\n\ncreation era, 51\n\ncrocodile hunting, 125\n\ncrocodile management strategy, 128\n\ncrocodiles, 65, 94\n\nrisk to visitors of, 125, 126, 127, 171\n\nsee also freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni); saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus)\n\ncross-cultural training for staff, 36, 37\n\ncultural closure protocols, 33, 35, 37, 109, 162\n\ncultural experiences, 103\n\ncultural heritage information management system (CHIMS), 41, 47, 49\n\ncultural heritage management programmes\n\nBininj/Mungguy cultural knowledge and skills and, 49\n\ncultural heritage sites\n\nthreat of pigs and buffalo to, 86\n\ncultural heritage strategy, 43\n\ncultural heritage symposium, 41\n\ncultural knowledge\n\nloss of and fire management, 90\n\ncultural material\n\nreturn of, 49\n\ncultural sites see Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites\n\ncultural values, 2, 9–10, 11, 15, 18, 21, 41\n\nimpact of climate change on, 115\n\n\n\n\nlooking after culture, 41–56\n\nline of sight, 42\n\nobjective, 41\n\noverarching principles for management of, 43\n\noverarching principles for managing park-wide threats to, 78\n\nand visitors/tourism, 100\n\nsee also Bininj/Mungguy cultural knowledge and practices; Bininj/Mungguy cultural protocols, practices, laws and customs (including clan-based decision-making); Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites; Bininj/Mungguy values, traditional practices and cultural knowledge; historic sites; rock art\n\ncustomary harvest practices of Bininj/Mungguy, 50\n\ncypress pine (Anlarr), 89\n\nsee also Anlarr (Callitris)\n\nCyrtobagous weevil, 80\n\n \n\nD\n\nDarwin Coast bioregion, 10\n\nDarwin stringybark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta), 70\n\nDarwin woollybutt (Eucalyptus miniata), 70\n\ndecision-making about country, 5, 35–7\n\ndecision-making in the park, 32\n\nguide to\n\nroutine actions and non-routine actions, 34\n\nDepartment of the Environment\n\nIndigenous Employment and Capability Strategy, 39\n\nwebsite\n\ninformation on permits and licences, 132\n\ndevelopment impacts outside the park\n\nand floodplains, 69\n\ndingoes, 71, 85\n\nDirector of National Parks\n\nfunctions and powers of under EPBC Act and Regulations, 31, 209\n\nand joint management, 15, 16, 28, 31\n\nand Kakadu National Park, 7, 9\n\nauthorisation or prohibition of activities, 155\n\nobligations under land lease agreements, 31, 38\n\nand Stage One lease agreement, 7, 30\n\nand Kakadu National Park management plan, 17\n\nmanaging Kakadu, 18\n\nmanaging use of Kakadu, 18\n\nand management of the park under EPBC Act and Regulations, 32\n\nreview of corporate policies and guidelines of, 33\n\nDisasters Act (NT), 126\n\ndisease\n\ncarried by pigs, buffalo, cattle and horses, 86\n\ndisturbed areas, 96\n\nsee also landscape disturbance\n\ndjang (dreaming places), 44, 52\n\nDjidbordu (Barron Island), 66\n\ndogs, 83, 85\n\ndesexing of, 86\n\nand lowlands, 71\n\nsee also domestic dogs; feral dogs; wild dogs\n\n\ndolphins, 66\n\ndomestic dogs, 86, 185\n\ndonkeys, 83, 84\n\nand lowlands, 71, 72\n\ndry season\n\nand lowlands, 70\n\nducks, 67\n\ndugong, 66, 67\n\nDuwa see patrilineal moieties Duwa and Yirridjdja\n\n \n\nE\n\nEast Alligator region\n\nrock art, 44, 103\n\nEast Alligator River crossing, 163\n\nEast Alligator River floodplain, 65\n\nEast Asian– Australasian Flyway, 16\n\necologically sensitive practices\n\nauthorisations for, 132\n\neducation and risk-based enforcement programme, 129\n\neducation travellers, 102\n\negrets, 67\n\nEl Sherana\n\nmining lease, 9\n\nelapid snakes, 68, 71, 84\n\nEleocharis, 69\n\nbulbs, 68\n\nemployment of Bininj/Mungguy, 13, 17, 35, 36, 37, 39\n\nsee also Indigenous employment pathways\n\nendangered species\n\nin floodplains, 66\n\nin stone country, 63\n\nendemic species, 13\n\nplants\n\nin Northern Territory (map), 61\n\nin stone country, 60, 63\n\nvertebrates\n\nin Northern Territory (map), 62\n\nenergy audit, 140\n\nenergy efficiency, 133, 140\n\nEnergy Resources Australia (ERA), 142\n\nconsultations with re management plan, 18\n\nand Jabiru, 120\n\nand mining, 97\n\nand Ranger uranium mine, 120\n\nand weed management, 79\n\nenforcement see compliance and enforcement\n\nEn-Route Supplement Australia (Airservices Australia), 164\n\nenvironment\n\nEPBC definition, 135\n\nEnvironment Protection (Alligator Rivers Region) Act 1978, 95\n\nEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), 2, 7\n\nand access to biological resources, 165, 181, 182, 183, 193, 212\n\nand appointment of wardens and rangers, 129, 130\n\nassessment and approval provisions of, 135\n\nand authorisation for certain activities, 130\n\nand authorisation or prohibition of activities, 155\n\n\n\n\nand Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites, 51\n\nand Bininj/Mungguy traditional activities, 152\n\nand Board of Management, 31, 32, 33, 209, 210\n\nand commercial filming, photography and audio recording, 178\n\nand commercial operations/activities, 175, 179\n\nand commercial taking or harvesting of wildlife, 165\n\nand Commonwealth land, 212\n\ncompliance with and penalties for breaches, 129, 215\n\nand conservation of biodiversity, 114\n\ndefinition of ‘aircraft’, 164\n\ndefinition of ‘environment’, 135\n\nand development of land in Jabiru, 121\n\nand Director of National Parks, 31, 41, 99, 113, 116, 118, 125, 126, 147, 148, 152, 155, 209\n\nand fees, 144, 145\n\nand firearms, 168\n\nand fishing, 173\n\nand genetic resources, 213\n\nand heritage protection, 213–14\n\nand incorporation of mining leases into the park, 9\n\nand infrastructure and works, 180\n\nand IUCN category, 10, 24\n\nand Jabiru, 123, 158, 161\n\nand Jabiru town plan, 122\n\nand joint management, 16, 28, 30\n\nand Koongarra Project Area, 9\n\nand management of park reserves, 208\n\nand management of use of the park, 18\n\nand management plan, 17, 24, 31, 208, 210\n\nand National Heritage listing, 15\n\nand Native Title Act 1993, 152, 212\n\nand Northern Land Council, 31\n\nobjectives of, 209\n\nand outstations, 157\n\nthe park as a Commonwealth reserve under, 7\n\nand permit for actions affecting protected species and communities, 114\n\npermits under Part 17, 129\n\nprohibitions\n\nand/or regulation of international movement of wildlife specimens for scientific purposes, 114\n\ncertain activities, 152, 211\n\non killing, injuring, taking, trading, keeping or moving native species, unless authorised, 184\n\nmining, 95\n\nor control of certain activities, 146\n\nresearch and monitoring for commercial purposes, unless authorised, 181\n\nand protection of park values, 10\n\nand recovery plans for threatened species or ecological communities, 57\n\nand roads and tracks, 163\n\nand Sacred Sites Act, 51\n\n\nand threatened species and ecological communities, 213\n\nand traditional use of land and water, 168, 212\n\nand wildlife protection, 213\n\nEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations\n\nand access to biological resources, 165, 181, 182, 183, 193, 212, 213\n\nand access to the park, 155\n\nand amendment and revocation of prohibitions, restrictions and determinations, 155\n\nand Australian Ramsar management principles, 194\n\nauthorisation or prohibition of activities, 152\n\nand authorisation or prohibition of activities, 155, 211\n\nand commercial flights, 164\n\nand Director of National Parks, 31, 155, 209\n\nand firearms, 168\n\nand firewood, 184\n\nand fishing, 173\n\nand IUCN category, 10, 24, 25\n\nand Jabiru, 123, 158, 159, 160, 161\n\nand Jabiru town plan, 121\n\nand management of park reserves, 208\n\nand management of use of the park, 18\n\nand park management, 10, 18\n\npenalties for breaches, 129\n\nand permit fees, 144\n\ncommercial tourism, 175\n\nand permits\n\nfor activities otherwise prohibited, 129\n\nfor allowable activities, 153\n\nunder Part 17, 131, 154\n\nprohibitions\n\ncamp fires except in authorised manner, 170\n\ncamping except in authorised camping areas, 170\n\ncertain adventurous activities, 155\n\ncertain fishing practices, 173\n\ninternational movement of wildlife specimens for scientific purposes, 114\n\nor control of certain activities, 146\n\nor restriction of people entering or remaining in the park, 155, 162\n\nre plants, animals, soil and other material, 80, 83, 184\n\nresearch and monitoring activities, unless authorised, 181\n\nscuba diving, 171\n\nswimming in certain areas, 171\n\nwalking off a public road or track, 170\n\nand roads and routes for transportation of minerals, 95\n\nand roads and tracks, 163\n\nand temporary or permanent closures of sites, 105\n\nand traditional use of land and water, 168\n\nand wildlife protection, 213\n\nand World Heritage management principles, 193\n\n\n\n\nenvironmental impact assessment, 212\n\nfor commercial taking or harvesting of wildlife or plants, 166\n\nEnvironmental Impact Assessment Guidelines, 135, 136\n\nenvironmental impact assessment matters and considerations, 138–9\n\nenvironmental impact assessment process\n\nand human use impacts on park values, 96\n\nenvironmental performance of park operations\n\nreview of, 141\n\nEnvironmental Reform (Consequential Provisions) Act 1999\n\nand the park, 7, 208\n\nEnvironmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (ERISS)\n\nSupervising Scientist Division, 142\n\nand mining, 97\n\nand research on environmental matters, 114\n\nresearch protocols, 117, 181\n\nand uranium mining, 95, 114\n\nworking relationships with, 116\n\nenvironmentally responsible use of resources, 140\n\nestuarine crocodiles see saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus)\n\neucalypt woodlands, 70\n\nEuropean bees, 71, 83, 85\n\nevent licences, 176\n\nevents in the park, 105, 176\n\nevents policy, 105\n\nexclusive use or access to sites, 105\n\nexotic aquatic animals, 85\n\nexotic aquatic snails, 85\n\nexotic birds, 85\n\nexotic fish, 85\n\nexotic pasture grasses, 88\n\nextractive research and monitoring activities, 182\n\nextreme weather events, 76, 92, 93\n\n \n\nF\n\nFacebook, 110\n\nfees (service fees, permit fees, and lease/licence fees), 105, 131, 144, 145, 175\n\nferal animal control programmes, 83\n\noutsourcing of to Bininj/Mungguy, 78, 87\n\nferal animal education programme, 87\n\nferal animal strategy, 87\n\nferal animals\n\nand Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites, 52, 53\n\nand floodplains, 68, 69\n\nand lowlands, 71, 72\n\nand public safety, 86\n\nand rainforest, 74, 75\n\nrisk of to visitors, 127\n\nand rock art, 45\n\nand stone country, 64\n\nferal animals – park-wide threats affecting values, 76, 83–7\n\nactions, 87\n\n\nbackground on individual species\n\nblack rats, 85\n\nbuffalo and cattle, 84\n\ncane toads, 84\n\ncats, 84\n\ndogs, 85\n\nEuropean bees, 85\n\nexotic aquatic animals, 85\n\nexotic birds, 85\n\nhorses and donkeys, 84\n\nintroduced ants, 85\n\npigs, 84\n\nmanagement issues\n\ndisease, 86\n\neffective use of resources, 86\n\nhigh-priority species, 86\n\nother pests, 86\n\npotential new species, 86\n\npublic safety, 86\n\nunattended pets, 86\n\noutcome, 83\n\nperformance indicator, 83\n\npolicies, 87\n\nferal bees, 71\n\nferal cats, 83, 84, 86\n\nand floodplains, 68\n\nand lowlands, 72\n\nand stone country, 64\n\nsee also cats\n\nferal dogs, 85\n\nand lowlands, 71\n\nsee also dogs\n\nferal herbivores\n\nand lowlands, 71\n\nfilming and photography (and other commercial image capture), 108, 109, 178\n\npolicies, 178\n\nfire\n\nBininj/Mungguy use of, 88\n\nclimate change and, 90\n\nand floodplains, 68, 69\n\nand historic sites, 55\n\nand lowlands, 71, 72\n\nand rainforest, 74, 75\n\nand rock art, 45\n\nand stone country, 60, 63, 64, 76, 88, 89\n\nand weeds, 79, 80\n\nsee also wildfires\n\nfire – park-wide threats affecting values, 76, 88–91\n\nactions, 90–1\n\nmanagement issues\n\nBininj/Mungguy support, 90\n\nclimate change effects, 90\n\ninvasive grasses, 89\n\nknowledge gaps, 90\n\nlack of community understanding and awareness, 90\n\n\n\n\nloss of cultural knowledge, 90\n\nunplanned large and severe late-season fires, 89\n\nwildfires spreading, entering or leaving the park through park boundaries, 89\n\noutcome, 88\n\nperformance indicators, 88\n\npolicies, 90\n\nFire and Emergency Act (NT), 126\n\nfire education and communication programme, 91\n\nfire history of the park, 89\n\nfire management, 88–9, 88–91\n\nBininj/Mungguy and, 90, 91, 94\n\nand climate change, 93\n\nimpact of on plant and animal species, 88, 89, 91\n\nin lowland woodlands, 89\n\nin lowlands, 72\n\nin rainforest, 75\n\nin stone country, 63, 64\n\nfire management strategy, 89, 90\n\nfire management training programmes, 91\n\nfire plot monitoring, 94, 115\n\nfire regimes, 89, 91\n\nfirearms (and other types of hunting equipment)\n\nuse of, 168\n\nFirearms Act (NT), 168\n\nfirewood, 170, 184\n\nfish, 15, 66, 67\n\nsee also aquarium fish; exotic fish\n\nFisheries Act (NT), 174\n\nfishing\n\nnon-commercial traditional practice, 168\n\nsee also commercial fishing; illegal commercial fishing; recreational boating and fishing; sustainable fishing practices\n\nflatback turtles, 66, 94\n\nfloodplains (freshwater country and saltwater country) An-kabohkabo dja kurrula, 2, 10, 57, 65–9\n\nactions, 69\n\nexisting threats to values\n\nclimate change, 68\n\ndevelopment impacts outside the park, 69\n\nferal animals, 67, 68, 69\n\nfire, 68, 69\n\nillegal commercial fishing, 68\n\nunauthorised access, 69\n\nvisitor impacts, 67, 68\n\nweeds, 67, 68, 69, 76, 79, 80\n\noutcome, 65\n\nperformance indicator, 65\n\nvalues and condition, 67\n\nsee also Alligator Rivers coastal floodplains; freshwater floodplains\n\nFly Neighbourly Advice (FNA), 164\n\nFly Neighbourly Agreement, 143\n\nFly Neighbourly Agreement or Policy, 164\n\nflying foxes, 73\n\nFogg Dam, 13\n\n\nforest see open forest\n\n4WD touring, 103\n\nfree and independent travellers, 102\n\nfreshwater country, 12, 67\n\nfreshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni), 67, 84, 125\n\nfreshwater fish, 15\n\nfreshwater floodplains\n\naquatic plants, 65\n\nsee also floodplains (freshwater country and saltwater country) An-kabohkabo dja kurrula\n\nfreshwater turtles, 92\n\nfrogs, 15, 68\n\nfruit-eating birds, 73\n\n \n\nG\n\nGagudju people, 5\n\ngamba grass, 64, 72, 79, 80, 84, 88\n\nGardangal (Field Island), 66\n\ngathering, 165, 168\n\nsee also traditional use of plants and animals\n\ngeneral rules for managing use of the park, 155–6\n\npolicies, 155–6\n\ngenetic resources\n\nEPBC Act definition of, 213\n\nsee also biological resources; research and monitoring activities and access to genetic resources\n\nghost ants, 85\n\ngifts, donations or bequests, 144, 145\n\ngillnet fishing, 68\n\nGimbat pastoral lease\n\nland claim in, 7\n\nGimbat Resumption, 7\n\nGimbat Road, 133\n\nginger ants, 85\n\ngoannas, 67, 68, 71, 84\n\nand cane toads, 115\n\ngoby fish, 15\n\nGoodparla pastoral lease, 9\n\nland claim in, 7\n\ngovernance workshops and training for Board members, 31\n\ngrants, bursaries and other co-funding arrangements, 144\n\ngravel pits, 95, 96, 97, 133\n\nsee also sand, gravel and other earth materials\n\nGreat Barrier Reef\n\nand tourism, 15\n\ngreen ants, 85\n\ngreenhouse gas emissions, 88\n\ngroundwater resources, 140, 141\n\ngroup inclusive travellers, 102\n\ngudgeon, 15\n\nGunbalanya school, 38\n\nGunbang Action Group, 123\n\nGundjheimi Aboriginal Corporation, 86\n\nGunlom, 103\n\nGunlom Aboriginal Land Trust, 9, 30, 31, 157, 208\n\nGunlom camp, 47\n\nGunlom Land Trust Sickness Country Protocols, 51\n\nGunlom lease, 157\n\n\n\n\nGuratba (Coronation Hill), 9\n\nGurig National Park, 13\n\n \n\nH\n\nheat-related illness, 92, 93\n\nhelipads, 134\n\nheritage protection, 213–14\n\nHigh Court of Australia\n\nand Proclamation for Stage Three, 9\n\nhistoric sites, 11, 41, 54–6\n\nconservation management plans for, 56\n\nexisting threats to values\n\nlack of knowledge and understanding of historic site values, 55\n\nloss of knowledge and stories relating to historic sites, 55\n\nnatural weathering, fire and termites, 55\n\noutcome, 54\n\nperformance indicator, 54\n\npotential threats to values\n\nasbestos removal, 55\n\nvandalism, 56\n\nregister of, 56\n\nunauthorised access to, 56\n\nvalues and condition, 55\n\nhorses, 83, 84\n\nand disease, 86\n\nand lowlands, 71, 72\n\nhousing (for staff), 133\n\nhuman health\n\nclimate change and, 94\n\nheat-related illness and mosquito-borne viruses, 93\n\nhuman impacts on park values, 95\n\nsee also land use – park-wide threats affecting values\n\nhunting, 50, 152, 165, 168\n\nsee also crocodile hunting; traditional hunting areas; traditional use of plants and animals\n\nHyptis suaveolens, 74\n\n \n\nI\n\nibis, 67\n\nillegal commercial fishing, 66\n\nand floodplains, 68\n\nimage capture and dissemination, 109\n\nsee also filming and photography (and other commercial image capture)\n\nimpact assessment, 135, 136\n\nprocess, 137\n\nimplementing and evaluating the plan, 147–8\n\nactions, 149\n\nimplementation plan, 149\n\nmanagement issues, 148\n\npolicies, 148\n\npriorities for implementation of the plan, 148\n\nreview of the plan, 149\n\nincident management procedures, 128\n\nIndigenous business opportunities, 104, 111\n\n\nIndigenous community rangers, 35\n\nIndigenous cultural and intellectual property rights, 49\n\nIndigenous economic interests, 32\n\nIndigenous Employment and Capability Strategy (Department of the Environment), 39\n\nIndigenous employment pathways, 38, 40\n\nsee also employment of Bininj/Mungguy\n\nIndigenous research protocols, 35, 37, 117\n\nindirect marketing material, 145\n\ninfectious diseases\n\nrisk of to visitors, 127\n\ninformation and guidance material\n\nfor filmmakers and photographers, 109\n\ninformation technology, 111\n\ninfrastructure and works, 180\n\npolicies, 180\n\nsee also capital works and infrastructure\n\ninfrastructure costs\n\nclimate change and, 93\n\ninsects\n\nand disease, 86\n\nand rock art, 45\n\nInstitute of Professional Practice in Heritage (Australian National University), 142\n\ninternational agreements, 193–4\n\ninternational movement of wildlife specimens for scientific purposes, 114\n\ninternational significance of the park, 15–16\n\nInternational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)\n\nprotected area categories, 10\n\nsee also IUCN categories\n\ninterpretation products and media, 111\n\ninterpretation programmes, 112\n\ninterpretation strategy, 111\n\ninterpretative ranger activities, 111\n\nintroduced ants, 71, 83, 85\n\nsee also invasive ants\n\nintroduced bird species, 86\n\ninvasive ants, 71\n\nsee also introduced ants\n\ninvasive grasses, 89\n\ninvasive pasture grasses, 79\n\ninvasive plants\n\nmonitoring impact of, 115\n\ninvestment, 144\n\nIronwood (Erythrophleum chlorostachys), 70\n\nIUCN categories, 24–5\n\n75 per cent rule, 24\n\nprotected area category II ‘national park’, 24\n\npolicies, 25\n\nIUCN management principles, 165\n\nsee also Australian IUCN management principles\n\n \n\nJ\n\nJabiluka Aboriginal Land Trust, 7, 30, 31, 157, 208\n\nJabiluka lease, 157\n\nJabiluka uranium deposit, 5\n\n\n\n\nJabiru, 120–4, 157, 158–61\n\nactions, 123–4\n\nand commercial accommodation, 177\n\ncommercial activities in, 159\n\ndevelopment in, 159\n\ndevelopment of, 95, 120\n\nand park management plan, 121\n\ndevelopment of new tenure arrangements, 122–3\n\nenvironmental management of, 123\n\nand feral animal control, 124\n\nimpact of establishment of\n\nAboriginal life and traditions, 121\n\non environment, 121\n\nimpact of establishment of on environment, 121\n\nmanagement issues, 121–2\n\nand Mirarr people, 120, 122, 123\n\nand native title claim by Mirarr people, 9\n\nnew planning scheme, 121\n\nand plant control, 124\n\npolicies, 122–3, 159–61\n\npolicies relating to the roles and responsibilities of the Northern Territory Government and the West Arnhem Regional Council, 161\n\npolicies relating to the sale of liquor in Jabiru, 160\n\nprohibition and regulation of certain activities, 158, 159, 160, 161\n\nand Ranger Uranium Environmental Inquiry, 120\n\nand Ranger uranium mine, 120, 121\n\nand tourism industry, 120\n\ntown lease and subleases, 120, 121, 122, 123\n\ntown plan, 159\n\nand uranium mining, 120\n\nweed infestations, 80\n\nJabiru airstrip, 133\n\nJabiru Golf Course, 120\n\nJabiru Gun Club, 120\n\nJabiru native title settlement, 123\n\nJabiru residents\n\nand Approved Plant List, 80\n\nJabiru Town Development Authority (JTDA), 122, 123, 142\n\nsubleases, 120, 122\n\nJabiru Town Plan, 121, 122\n\nnew, 122\n\nJapan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA), 2, 11, 16, 194\n\nJawoyn Land Management Advisory Committee, 142\n\nJawoyn people\n\nand Buladjang, or ‘Sickness Country’, 51\n\nJim Jim Falls area, 60, 103\n\njoint management, 15, 16, 18, 28–40, 109\n\nline of sight, 29\n\nmaking decisions and working together (Board of Management), 30–4\n\nactions, 33\n\nguide to decision-making, 34\n\nmanagement issues, 32\n\noutcome, 30\n\n\nperformance indicators, 30\n\npolicies, 32–3\n\nmaking decisions and working together (on country), 35–7\n\nactions, 36–7\n\nmanagement issues, 36\n\noutcome, 35\n\npolicies, 36\n\nobjective, 28\n\noverarching principles, 28\n\nreview of arrangement of, 33\n\nJunior Ranger Programme, 38\n\n \n\nK\n\nKakadu\n\norigin of name, 5\n\nKakadu – Walking to the future together – A shared vision for tourism in Kakadu National Park (J Morse, J King, & J Bartlett, 2005), 101\n\nKakadu Aboriginal Land Trust, 7, 30, 31, 121, 157, 208\n\nKakadu Birds iPhone application, 103\n\nKakadu Brand Identity Guidelines, 111\n\nKakadu Conservation Zone\n\nand mining, 95\n\nKakadu Highway, 133, 163\n\nKakadu Knowledge for Tour Guides course, 176\n\nKakadu Land Rehabilitation Strategy, 95\n\nKakadu lease, 157\n\nKakadu National Park\n\nas Aboriginal land see Aboriginal land\n\nAboriginal land and land claims in (as at April 2014), 8\n\nand Bininj/Mungguy, 2, 5, 9, 10, 13, 99\n\nCommonwealth Heritage listing, 9, 15, 213\n\nas Commonwealth land, 212\n\nas Commonwealth reserve, 7, 208\n\ndescription, 2, 10\n\nestablishment, 5–9, 10, 208\n\nIUCN protected area category II ‘national park’, 24\n\njoint management, 15, 16, 28–40, 109\n\nland claims, 7\n\nlandscape types, 12, 57\n\nmap, 14\n\nthreats in, 76\n\nlocation, 3\n\nmap, 6\n\nand mining, 7\n\nNational Heritage listing, 10, 15, 213\n\npromotion of, 99\n\npurpose, 208\n\nRamsar listing, 9, 10, 11, 16, 65, 79, 109\n\nsignificance, 13, 15–16\n\nStage One, 7, 9, 16, 29, 30, 193, 194, 208\n\nStage Two, 7, 16, 193, 194, 208\n\nStage Three, 7, 9, 194, 208\n\nvalues, 9–12\n\nas a visitor experience destination, 99\n\nWorld Heritage Listing, 2, 9, 11, 15, 79, 88, 99, 109, 140, 157, 193, 213\n\n\n\n\nKakadu National Park Values Statement, 10–12\n\nKakadu Research and Management Advisory Committee (KRMAC), 18, 30, 32, 33, 113, 116, 117, 142, 181\n\nreview of terms of reference of, 33\n\nKakadu Research Guidelines, 49\n\nKakadu savanna bird area, 16\n\nKakadu Tourism Consultative Committee (KTCC), 18, 30, 32, 33, 142\n\nreview of terms of reference of, 33\n\nKakadu Tourism Master Plan, 144\n\nKakadu Visitor Guide and park notes, 111\n\nKing, John see Kakadu – Walking to the future together – A shared vision for tourism in Kakadu National Park (J Morse, J King, & J Bartlett, 2005)\n\nkinship, 4\n\nknowledge\n\nand good management, 113\n\nsources of, 113\n\nsee also research and knowledge management\n\nKnowledge for Tour Guides training, 106, 107\n\nknowledge gaps, 115\n\nand climate change, 93\n\nand fire, 90\n\nand lowlands, 72\n\nand rainforest, 74\n\nand stone country, 64\n\nknowledge management framework, 117\n\nKoongarra area\n\nWorld Heritage Area, 11, 15\n\nKoongarra Project Area, 9\n\nKoongarra uranium deposit, 5\n\nKorea see Republic of Korea-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA)\n\n \n\nL\n\nland claims\n\nin the park, 7\n\nland lease agreements, 30, 31, 38\n\nand establishment of the park, 7, 9, 16, 29, 30\n\nland mammals, 15\n\nland rehabilitation see rehabilitation (land)\n\nLand Rehabilitation Strategy, 97\n\nland rights\n\nin Alligator Rivers Region, 5, 7\n\nLand Rights Act see Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Land Rights Act)\n\nLand Trust see Kakadu Aboriginal Land Trust\n\nland use – park-wide threats affecting values, 95–7\n\nactions, 97\n\nmanagement issues\n\ncumulative impacts of landscape disturbance, 96\n\ndirect and indirect visitor impacts, 96\n\ndisturbed areas, 96\n\nintroduction of pests, 96\n\nongoing monitoring costs, 96\n\nrecreational boating and fishing, 96\n\nunregulated use of visitor areas, 96\n\n\noutcome, 95\n\nperformance indicators, 95\n\npolicies, 97\n\nlandscape disturbance\n\ncumulative impacts of, 96\n\nsee also disturbed areas\n\nlandscape-based fire plans, 88\n\nlandscape-based fire strategies, 89\n\nlandscapes\n\nmanagement of natural values in, 78\n\nsee also floodplains (freshwater country and saltwater country) An-kabohkabo dja kurrula; lowlands – Kukarnhkarndan; rainforest – An-ngarre; stone country – Kun-warddewardde\n\nlanguage and language groups, 5, 47\n\npreservation of, 49\n\nlarge dragons, 68, 71, 84\n\nlease agreement\n\nfor Stage One, 7, 29, 30\n\nleases, 107, 131, 132\n\nfor commercial operations, 153\n\nof non-Aboriginal land not under claim, 131\n\nsee also subleases\n\nlegislative context, 208–15\n\nLegislative Instruments Act 2003\n\nand Jabiru Town Plan, 121\n\nand management plan, 24, 210\n\nlicences see permits and licences\n\nline of sight, 17, 19\n\nliquor\n\npolicies relating to the sale of in Jabiru, 169\n\nLiquor Act (NT), 160\n\nLitchfield National Park, 13, 89\n\nliving in the park – Jabiru and outstations, 118–24, 157–61\n\nsee also Jabiru; outstations and living on country\n\nLocal Counter Disaster Planning Committee, 126, 127\n\nLocal Government Act (NT), 120\n\nlocal significance of the park, 13\n\nlotus lily, 66\n\nlowland woodlands, 12, 57, 70\n\nfire management in, 89\n\nweeds in, 79\n\nlowlands – Kukarnhkarndan, 70–2\n\nactions, 72\n\nand dry season, 70\n\nexisting threats to values\n\nferal animals, 71, 72\n\nfire, 71, 72\n\nknowledge gaps, 72\n\noutcome, 70\n\nperformance indicator, 70\n\npotential threats to values\n\nweeds, 71, 72\n\nvalues and condition, 71\n\nand wet season, 70\n\n \n\n\n\n\nM\n\nmacropods, 70\n\nMagela billabongs\n\nsalvinia control at, 80\n\nMagela Creek crossing, 163\n\ndangers at, 128\n\nMagela floodplain, 95\n\nmagpie geese, 66, 67, 68, 92\n\nmammals\n\nendemic\n\nin stone country, 63\n\nManagement Effectiveness Framework, 147, 148\n\nmanagement plan – fifth (1 January 2007 – 31 December 2013), 17\n\naudit of implementation of, 17\n\nand capital works and infrastructure, 133\n\nand commercial crabbing, 179\n\nand commercial tourism, 175\n\nand cultural heritage information management system, 41, 47\n\nand hunting in the park by Aboriginal people, 168\n\nand Kakadu Visitor Guide and park notes, 111\n\nand recreational activities, 170\n\nand Shared Vision Principles, 101\n\nand visitor numbers, 145\n\nmanagement plan – sixth\n\nBininj/Mungguy and implementation of, 37\n\ncommencement and termination, 24\n\nconsultations and submissions on, 17–18\n\nand development of Jabiru, 121\n\ndraft (3 December 2014), 18\n\ngeneral provisions and IUCN category, 24–5\n\nimplementation and evaluation of, 37\n\nimplementation plan, 149\n\npriorities for implementation, 148\n\nreview of the plan, 149\n\nsee also implementing and evaluating the plan\n\nplanning framework, 18–21\n\nfocus of management for the protection of park values, 21\n\nmanaging Kakadu, 18\n\nmanaging use of Kakadu, 18\n\nsee also general rules for managing use of the park; managing use of Kakadu National Park\n\nplanning hierarchy, 19\n\nprioritisation, 19\n\nvalues-based approach to planning, 19\n\nmanagement plan framework, 17–21\n\nmanagement planning process, 17–18\n\nmanagement plans\n\nmatters to be taken into account in a management plan, 210–11\n\npurpose of, 210\n\nmanaging use of Kakadu National Park, 152–85\n\nmangrove monitoring, 94\n\nmangroves, 10, 66, 67, 92\n\n\nmapping and defining the northern boundary of the park, 69\n\nMardku see matrilineal moieties Mardku and Ngarradjku\n\nmarine and riverine environments, 66, 67\n\nmarine turtles, 66, 67, 115\n\nmarketing see promotion and marketing\n\nMary River National Park, 13\n\nmatrilineal moieties Mardku and Ngarradjku, 4\n\nMay, Dr Sally\n\nconsultations with re management plan, 18\n\nMelaleuca, 81, 92\n\nsee also paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia)\n\nMelaleuca swamps\n\nsalvinia control in, 80\n\nmigratory birds, 2, 11, 16\n\nsee also China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA); Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA); Republic of Korea-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA)\n\nmigratory shorebirds, 16, 65, 67\n\nmigratory species, 2, 11, 16, 57, 69, 194\n\nsee also Bonn Convention\n\nmimi spirits, 44\n\nmimosa biocontrol agents, 80\n\nMimosa pigra, 67, 68, 69, 79, 84\n\nmining, 97\n\nand the park, 7, 95\n\nsee also disturbed areas; uranium mining\n\nmining rehabilitation, 95\n\nMinister\n\nand Board of Management, 31\n\nand management plan, 324\n\nand recovery plans for threatened species or ecological communities, 57\n\nMirarr people\n\nand Jabiru, 120, 122, 123\n\nnative title claim, 9, 120–1\n\nsee also Jabiru native title settlement\n\nmission grass, 64, 79, 84, 88\n\nmobile phone coverage, 111, 128\n\nmoieties or halves, 4\n\nmonitoring programmes\n\nflora and fauna, 94\n\nSouth Alligator low-level waste containment facility and groundwater and vegetation, 96, 97\n\nMorse, John see Kakadu – Walking to the future together – A shared vision for tourism in Kakadu National Park (J Morse, J King, & J Bartlett, 2005)\n\nmosquito fish, 86\n\nmosquito-borne viruses, 92, 93\n\nMt Bundy Military Reserve, 142\n\nmud crabs, 66\n\nmudflats, 66, 67, 92\n\nMyrtaceae, 74, 81\n\nmyrtle rust, 81\n\nand rainforest, 74\n\n \n\n\n\n\nN\n\nNagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization, 193\n\nNamarrgon (Lightning Man), 4\n\nNamarrgon camp, 47\n\nNanguluwurr (Nourlangie Rock)\n\nrock art, 44, 103\n\nNational Archives of Australia\n\nand digitisation and stabilisation of all audio and video cultural information, 47\n\nnational economy, 15\n\nNational Environmental Research Programme (NERP), 35, 142\n\nferal cats, 83\n\nmajor projects, 115\n\nsaltwater intrusion, 93\n\nweeds, 79\n\nNational Forest Policy, 15\n\nNational Heritage listing, 10, 15, 213, 214\n\nNational Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 (NPWC Act)\n\nand Board of Management, 31, 209\n\nand establishment of the park, 7, 10, 208\n\nand joint management, 16\n\nNational Reserve System\n\nprotected areas, 15\n\nnational significance of the park, 15\n\nNational Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development, 15\n\nNational Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity, 15\n\nnative plants and animals, 57, 59\n\nmanagement of\n\nin floodplains, 69\n\nin lowlands, 72\n\nin rainforest, 75\n\nin stone country, 64\n\nnative plums, 73\n\nnative species\n\nprohibition on killing, injuring, taking, trading, keeping or moving, unless authorised, 184\n\nNative Title Act 1993, 9, 152, 168, 212\n\nand Mirarr people and Jabiru, 120\n\nnatural heritage management programmes, 59\n\nnatural values, 2, 15, 18, 21, 57\n\nimpact of climate change on, 115\n\nmanagement of at landscape level, 78\n\noverarching principles for managing, 59\n\noverarching principles for managing park-wide threats to, 78\n\nand visitors/tourism, 100\n\nsee also country values\n\nNayuhyunggi (in Gundjeihmi language) – first people/ancestors, 2, 51\n\nneighbours, stakeholders and partnerships, 142–3\n\nactions, 143\n\nmanagement issues, 143\n\npolicies, 143\n\n\nNewcrest Operations Ltd\n\nmining leases, 9\n\nNgarradjku see matrilineal moieties Mardku and Ngarradjku\n\nNitmiluk National Park, 13, 89, 142\n\nNitmiluk National Park Board of Management, 142\n\nconsultations with re management plan, 18\n\nnon-commercial permits, 132\n\nnorthern boundary of the park, 66\n\nmapping and defining, 69\n\nnorthern brown pine Podocarpus grayae, 60\n\nNorthern Land Council (NLC)\n\nand Board of Management, 31\n\nand consultations with Bininj/Mungguy, 35, 36\n\nconsultations with re management of the park, 31\n\nconsultations with re management plan, 18\n\nand Jabiru, 123\n\nand joint management, 30, 31\n\nand outstations, 119\n\nand the park, 37\n\nand register of Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites, 51\n\nand restriction on access to areas in the park, 162\n\nand review of cultural protocol documents, 37\n\nnorthern quolls\n\nand cane toads, 83, 115\n\nNorthern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 (Sacred Sites Act or NTASS Act), 51, 137\n\nNorthern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NT FRS), 126, 127\n\nNorthern Territory Government\n\nand access to marine areas of the park, 69\n\nand commercial fishing, 66\n\nand Jabiru, 120, 161\n\nand Jabiru Town Plan, 121\n\nand Knowledge for Tour Guides training, 106\n\nand roads and highways, 133, 134, 163\n\nNorthern Territory Planning Scheme, 121\n\nNorthern Territory Police, 126, 127\n\nNorthern Territory Sites of Conservation Significance\n\nthe park and, 13\n\nNorthern Territory Weed Advisory Committee, 142\n\nNourlangie region\n\nrock art, 44\n\n \n\nO\n\noccupation licences, 105, 107, 131, 153\n\noccupation sites, 51, 52\n\nOenpelli python, Nawaran, 63\n\nOenpelli Road, 133, 163\n\noff-road driving, 68\n\nOld Jim Jim Road, 133, 163\n\nolive hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis), 67, 68, 69, 79\n\nopen forest, 2, 12, 57, 70\n\noperational funding, 144\n\noral histories, 49, 56\n\norchid Dienia montana (formerly Malaxis latifolia), 74\n\noutsourcing\n\nferal control, 78\n\nweed management, 78\n\n\n\n\noutstations and living on country, 118–19, 157\n\nactions, 119\n\ndevelopment of new outstations, 118, 119, 157\n\nexpansion of existing outstations, 118, 119, 157\n\nimpact of on park values, 119\n\nmanagement issues, 118\n\noutstations approved by the Board, 118, 119\n\noutstations in existence prior to the declaration of the park, 118, 119\n\npolicies, 118–19\n\npre-existing outstations on Aboriginal land, 157\n\nOutstations Guide to Development, 119\n\n \n\nP\n\npaperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia), 65\n\npara grass (Bracharia mutica), 67, 69, 74, 75, 79\n\npark branding, 111\n\nsee also Kakadu Brand Identity Guidelines\n\npark closure see access restrictions; cultural closure protocols; permanent closure of visitor sites; temporary closure of visitor sites\n\npark data and information\n\nmethods for storing, managing and retrieving, 115\n\nPark Manager\n\nfunctions and powers of, 31, 148\n\npark staff\n\nconsultations with re management plan, 18\n\npark values, 9–12, 18\n\nfocus of management for protection of, 20\n\nhuman impacts on, 95, 96\n\nsee also land use – park-wide threats affecting values\n\nimpact of outstations on, 119\n\nthreats to, 19, 21\n\nsee also country values; cultural values; Kakadu National Park Values Statement; natural values\n\nParks Australia\n\nand Indigenous engagement, training and employment, 38\n\nand park management, 16\n\npromotion and marketing material, 109\n\nreview of agency-wide policies and guidelines of, 33\n\nsymposia on threats to values, 76\n\nParks Australia Commercial Leasing Policy, 107, 131\n\nParks Australia Commercial Tourism Licence Policy, 107, 131\n\nParks Australia Compliance and Enforcement Manual, 129, 130\n\nParks Australia Management Effectiveness Framework, 19, 114, 116\n\nParks Australia Sustainable Tourism Overview 2011–2016, 96\n\nParks Australia’s Management Effectiveness Framework, 147, 148\n\npark-wide threats affecting values, 76–97\n\nclimate change, 92–4\n\nsee also climate change – park-wide threats affecting values\n\n\nferal animals, 83–7\n\nsee also feral animals – park-wide threats affecting values\n\nfire, 88–91\n\nsee also fire – park-wide threats affecting values\n\ninformation on various threats, 78\n\ninterlinking of various threats, 78\n\nland use, 95–7\n\nsee also land use – park-wide threats affecting values\n\nline of sight, 77\n\nobjective, 76\n\noverarching principles for managing park-wide threats to natural and cultural values, 78\n\nweeds and plant pathogens, 79–82\n\nsee also weeds and plant pathogens – park-wide threats affecting values\n\npartnerships, 142, 144\n\nsee also neighbours, stakeholders and partnerships\n\npastoralism, 88\n\npatrilineal moieties Duwa and Yirridjdja, 4\n\npenalties\n\nfor breaches of EPBC Act, 129, 215\n\nPerformance Monitoring Plan, 148\n\npermanent closure of visitor sites, 105\n\npermits and licences\n\naccess to visitor sites, 105, 162\n\nactions affecting protected species and communities, 114\n\nadministration and management of, 132\n\nallowable activities, 153\n\nassessment of applications for, 131\n\nauthorising certain activities, 131\n\nbushwalking, 171\n\ncampfires, 171\n\ncommercial tourism, 106, 107, 131, 175–6\n\nsee also commercial tour permits\n\ncompliance with provisions of, 132\n\nEPBC Part 17 permits, 129, 131\n\nevents, 176\n\noccupation and use of land, 131\n\noutstations, 118\n\nresearch, 115\n\nsuspension or cancellation of, 153\n\nand visitor experiences, 103\n\nsee also commercial activity licences; commercial permits; commercial tour permits; fees (service fees, permit fees, and lease/licence fees); non-commercial permits; occupation licences; research permits\n\npest species management\n\nand climate change, 93\n\npests\n\nintroduction of, 96\n\npets, 185\n\nsee also unattended pets\n\nPets in Jabiru Policy, 121\n\npharaohs ants, 85\n\n\n\n\nphotographers, 109\n\nsee also filming and photography (and other commercial image capture)\n\npig-nosed turtle, 67\n\npigs, 83, 84, 86\n\nand Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites, 53\n\nand disease, 86\n\nand floodplains, 67, 68, 69\n\nand lowlands, 71, 72\n\nand rainforest, 74, 75\n\nPine Creek bioregion, 10, 15\n\nPine Creek school, 38\n\nplains death adder, 67\n\nPlanning Act (NT)\n\nand Jabiru Town Plan, 121\n\nplant pathogens, 74\n\nplant species, 15\n\nplants\n\ncommercial taking or harvesting of, 165–7\n\nprohibition on bringing into the park, 80, 184–5\n\npolicies, 184–5\n\nsee also traditional use of plants and animals\n\npotable water supplies, 140\n\nprecinct plans for key visitor areas, 104\n\nprohibition, regulation or control, 152\n\nadventurous activities, 155, 171\n\nbringing animals into the park, 83, 184–5\n\nbringing plants into the park, 80, 184–5\n\nbringing soil and other material into the park, 80, 184–5\n\ncertain activities, 146, 152\n\nin Jabiru, 158, 159, 160, 161\n\ncultivating plants, except in accordance with this plan or a permit from the Director, 80\n\ninternational movement of wildlife specimens for scientific purposes, 114\n\nkilling, injuring, taking, trading, keeping or moving native species, unless authorised, 184\n\nmovement of livestock through the park, 83\n\npermits for activities otherwise prohibited, 129, 130\n\nsee also under Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act); Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations\n\npromotion and marketing, 108–9\n\nactions, 109\n\nmanagement issues, 109\n\noutcome, 108\n\nperformance indicators, 108\n\npolicies, 109\n\nunfunded, 144\n\nsee also indirect marketing material\n\npromotion of the park, 99\n\nproposals\n\nassessment of see assessment of proposals\n\nprotected areas\n\nNational Reserve System, 15\n\n\nprotected species and communities\n\npermit for actions affecting, 114\n\npublic safety\n\nferal animals and, 86\n\n \n\nQ\n\nquolls, 71, 84\n\nand cane toads, 84\n\nsee also northern quolls\n\n \n\nR\n\nradioactive waste, 95, 96, 97\n\nRainbow Snake, 4\n\nrainforest – An-ngarre, 2, 13, 57, 73–5\n\nactions, 75\n\nexisting threats to values\n\nferal animals, 74, 75\n\nfire, 74, 75\n\nknowledge gaps, 74\n\nweeds, 74, 75\n\noutcomes, 73\n\nperformance indicators, 73\n\npotential threats to values\n\nmyrtle rust, 74, 81\n\nand stone country, 73\n\nvalues and condition, 74\n\nRamsar Convention, 2, 11, 16, 65, 194\n\nRamsar listing, 9, 10, 11, 16, 65, 109, 194\n\nweeds as threat to, 79\n\nRanger uranium deposit, 5\n\nRanger Uranium Environmental Inquiry, 5, 7\n\nand Jabiru, 120\n\nand Mirarr people and Jabiru, 120\n\nRanger uranium mine, 95, 120, 121, 143\n\nrangers, 129, 130\n\nrattlepod, 84\n\nrecovery plans for threatened species or ecological communities, 57, 72\n\nrecreational activities, 170–4\n\npolicies, 170–1\n\nrecreational boating and fishing, 66, 68, 96, 97, 103, 105, 173–4\n\npolicies, 173–4\n\nrecreational opportunities\n\nmanagement of, 97, 104\n\nrecycled and renewable resources and technologies, 141\n\nregional economy, 13\n\nregional significance of the park, 13\n\nregistered wildlife carers, 185\n\nrehabilitation (land), 95, 97\n\nrenewable energy, 141\n\nreptiles, 15, 63\n\nRepublic of Korea-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA), 2, 11, 16, 194\n\nresearch and knowledge management, 32, 113–17\n\nactions, 117\n\nline of sight, 114\n\nmanagement issues, 115–16\n\n\n\n\nobjective, 113\n\noutcomes, 115\n\nperformance indicators, 115\n\npolicies, 116\n\npriorities, 116\n\nresource restraints on, 115\n\nsee also Indigenous research protocols; Kakadu Research and Management Advisory Committee (KRMAC); Kakadu Research Guidelines\n\nresearch and monitoring activities and access to genetic resources, 181–3\n\nfor commercial purposes, 181, 182\n\npolicies, 181–2\n\nResearch and Monitoring Strategy, 117\n\nresearch permits, 115, 132, 181, 182\n\nresidents of the park, 13, 157\n\nand animals, 123, 157\n\nburials, 168, 169\n\nand fire, 90, 91\n\nJabiru, 120, 123\n\nand outstations, 118, 119, 157\n\nand pets, 85, 185\n\nand plants, 80, 123, 157, 184\n\nresource use in park operations, 140–1\n\nactions, 141\n\nmanagement issues, 140\n\npolicies, 141\n\nresources\n\ncommercial use of see commercial use of resources\n\nRetrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (UNESCO 2014)\n\nnatural and cultural values of the park, 15\n\nrevenue and business development, 144–5\n\nactions, 145\n\nmanagement issues, 145\n\npolicies, 145\n\nrisk management decision support tools, 115\n\nRisk Watch List, 125, 128\n\nrisks to visitors, 125, 126, 127, 128, 171\n\nriver sharks, 66, 67\n\nroad access, 163\n\npolicies, 163\n\nrestrictions, 163\n\nroads and highways, 133, 134\n\nrock art, 11, 15, 41, 43, 44–6\n\nactions, 46\n\nclimate change and, 92\n\nconservation programme, 46\n\nexisting threats to values\n\nferal animals, 45\n\nfire, 45\n\ninsect damage, 45\n\nloss of traditional knowledge, 45\n\nnumber and inaccessibility of sites, 45\n\nvisitor impacts, 45\n\nweathering, 45\n\noutcome, 44\n\nperformance indicator, 44\n\n\npublic access to, 44\n\nregister of sites, 46\n\nvalues and condition, 44–5\n\nrock art site monitoring, 115\n\nrock art viewing, 103\n\nRose, Deborah Bird\n\non country, 9\n\nrubbish, 68\n\n \n\nS\n\nsacred sites, 4, 51, 52, 92, 137\n\nSacred Sites Act see Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 (Sacred Sites Act or NTASS Act)\n\nsafety and incident management, 125–8\n\nand visitors, 104, 125\n\nsafety information for visitors, 128\n\nsaline mudflats, 92\n\nsalmon, 66\n\nsaltwater country, 12, 67\n\nsaltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), 66, 67, 125\n\nsaltwater intrusion, 84, 92, 93\n\nand floodplains, 68, 69\n\nsaltwater inundation\n\nand Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites, 52, 53\n\nSalvinia molesta, 67, 79, 80\n\nsand, gravel and other earth materials, 133, 134, 180\n\nsandstone cliffs of the Arnhem Land escarpment, 10\n\nsawfish, 66, 67\n\nscenic flights, 164\n\nScribbly Gum (or Snappy Gum, Eucalyptus racemosa), 70\n\nscuba diving, 171\n\nsea-level rise, 92\n\nand Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites, 52\n\nand floodplains, 68\n\nseasonal changes affecting access and experiences, 111\n\nsee also wet season\n\nseasonal ranger programme, 111\n\nshared tourism vision for the park, 101\n\nShared Vision Principles, 101, 104, 108, 109\n\nshorebirds, 66\n\nSickness Country (Buladjang), 9, 208\n\nJawoyn people and, 51\n\nsee also Gunlom Land Trust Sickness Country Protocols\n\nSickness Country protocols, 35, 37\n\nsida, 79\n\nsida leaf-feeding beetle (Calligrapha pantherina), 80\n\nsignage, 111, 112\n\nsignificance of the park\n\ninternationally, 15–16\n\nlocally, 13\n\nnationally, 15\n\nregionally, 13\n\nSingapore ants, 85\n\nsite access, 162\n\npolicies, 162\n\nskin groups, 4\n\nsocial media, 108, 109\n\n\n\n\nsoil and other material\n\nprohibition on bringing into the park, 80, 184–5\n\npolicies, 184–5\n\nsoils\n\nwoodlands, 70\n\nsolar power, 140\n\nsound recording, 178\n\nSouth Alligator\n\nand commercial accommodation, 177\n\nSouth Alligator low-level waste containment facility\n\nmonitoring of groundwater and vegetation, 97\n\ncost, 96\n\nSouth Alligator River, 66\n\ndrainage basin, 13\n\nfloodplain, 65\n\nSouth Alligator River catchment\n\nclimate change vulnerability assessment of, 93\n\nSouth Alligator Valley rehabilitation plan, 95\n\nspecies and landscape monitoring programmes, 50\n\nSpencer, W Baldwin\n\nand name ‘Kakadu’, 5\n\nspice finches, 85\n\nsponsorship, 144\n\nstaff training and development, 39\n\nstakeholders, 142\n\nsee also neighbours, stakeholders and partnerships\n\nstakeholders interests\n\npark management decisions and, 33\n\nstone country – Kun-warddewardde, 11, 12, 13, 57, 60–4\n\nactions, 64\n\nexisting threats to values\n\nferal animals, 64\n\nfire, 60, 63, 64, 76, 88, 89\n\nknowledge gaps, 64\n\nweeds, 64, 76\n\noutcome, 60\n\nperformance indicator, 60\n\nand rainforest, 73\n\nand rock art, 44\n\nvalues and condition, 63\n\nsubleases, 105, 131, 132\n\nof Aboriginal land, 131\n\nfor commercial operations, 153\n\nJabiru Town Development Authority, 120, 122\n\noutstations, 118, 119\n\nsunset destination, 108\n\nSupervising Scientist see Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (ERISS)\n\nsustainable fishing practices, 105\n\nswimming, 103, 109, 126\n\nrisks, 125, 171\n\n \n\nT\n\ntemporary closure of visitor sites, 105\n\ntermites\n\nand historic sites, 55\n\nTerritory Wildlife Park, 13\n\n\nthreatened species and ecological communities, 13, 16, 57, 213\n\nanimals, 63\n\nin floodplains, 67\n\nin lowlands, 71, 72\n\nmonitoring of status of, 115\n\nplants, 15, 63, 65\n\nin rainforest, 74\n\nin stone country, 63\n\nsee also recovery plans for threatened species or ecological communities\n\nthreats to values\n\nexisting threats\n\nBininj/Mungguy cultural knowledge and practices, 48\n\nBininj/Mungguy cultural sites, 52\n\nfloodplains, 67–9\n\nhistoric sites, 55\n\nlowlands, 71–2\n\nrainforest, 74\n\nrock art, 45\n\nstone country, 64\n\npark-wide, 76–97\n\npotential threats\n\nBininj/Mungguy cultural sites, 52\n\nhistoric sites, 55–6\n\nlowlands, 72\n\nrainforest, 74\n\nThree Parks Monitoring Programme, 89\n\ntidal plains, 10\n\nTilapia, 85, 86\n\ntimber, including preservative-treated pine, 134, 180\n\ntour business accreditation, 175\n\ntour guide certification, 175\n\ntourism\n\nBininj/Mungguy and, 39, 99\n\nimpact of on the park, 96, 97\n\nsee also commercial tourism\n\nTourism Australia\n\nand marketing of the park, 144\n\ntourism industry\n\ncooperative promotion and marketing strategy with, 109\n\nand infrastructure developments, 134\n\nand Jabiru, 120\n\nand notification of changes to visitor management, 33, 107, 156\n\nand promotion and marketing, 108, 109\n\nup-to-date information for, 107\n\ntourism licence, 175\n\nTourism Master Plan, 96, 101–2, 104\n\nTourism NT, 13, 107, 108\n\nconsultations with re management plan, 18\n\nand marketing of the park, 144\n\nTourism Top End, 142\n\ntoxoplasmosis, 86\n\ntraditional fire management, 88, 90\n\nin floodplains, 66, 67, 68\n\n\n\n\ntraditional foods, 66\n\ntraditional hunting areas, 92\n\ntraditional medicines, 66\n\ntraditional owners\n\nand clan estates, 4\n\nand IUCN protected area category II, 24\n\nand joint management, 16\n\nand management plan, 17\n\nand Northern Land Council, 31\n\nand restriction on access to areas in the park, 162\n\ntraditional use of land and water, 152, 168–9, 212\n\npolicies, 168–9\n\ntraditional use of plants and animals, 50\n\nvisitor access to the park and, 50\n\ntraditional utensils, 66\n\ntraditional weapons, 66\n\ntraditional weaving materials, 66\n\ntrainee programmes, 38\n\ntraining see Bininj/Mungguy training and other opportunities; cross-cultural training for staff; staff training and development\n\ntraining committee, 39\n\ntraining opportunities on weed identification, control and monitoring, 81\n\ntraining strategy, 39, 40\n\ntraveller types, 102\n\ntree sparrows, 85\n\ntrigger plants Stylidium sp., 60\n\ntropical savannas\n\nand climate change, 79\n\nturtles, 66, 67, 68\n\nsee also flatback turtles; freshwater turtles; marine turtles\n\nTwin Falls, 103\n\n \n\nU\n\nUbirr, 60\n\nrock art, 44, 103\n\nUluru–Kata Tjuta National Park\n\nand joint management, 15\n\nand tourism, 15\n\nunattended pets, 86\n\nunauthorised access\n\nto Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites, 52, 53\n\nand floodplains, 69\n\nto historic sites, 56\n\nUnited Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 193\n\nunplanned large and severe late-season fires, 89\n\nUranium Development Project (UDP), 7\n\nuranium mining, 5, 7, 95, 114\n\nand Jabiru, 120\n\n \n\nV\n\nvalues see country values; cultural values; natural values; park values\n\nVan Diemen Gulf, 66\n\n\nvandalism\n\nand historic sites, 56\n\nvessels (commercial fishing)\n\ncontrol of, 179\n\nvisitation, 99, 105, 108\n\ndecline in, 99\n\nvisitor areas\n\nunregulated use of, 96\n\nvisitor experience destination\n\nnew visitor experiences, 103\n\nthe park as, 99, 108\n\nactions, 104–5\n\nline of sight, 100\n\nmanagement issues, 103–4\n\noutcome, 101\n\nperformance indicators, 101\n\npolicies, 104\n\nvisitor impacts, 104\n\ndirect and indirect, 96, 97\n\nand floodplains, 67, 68\n\nand rock art, 45\n\nvisitor information, 110–12\n\nactions, 111–12\n\nmanagement issues, 111\n\noutcome, 110\n\nperformance indicator, 110\n\npolicies, 111\n\nsources of, 110\n\nvisitor needs, 104\n\nvisitor numbers, 13, 111, 145\n\nvisitor numbers and usage of the park data, 99\n\nvisitor safety see risks to visitors\n\nvisitor safety incidents, 125, 126, 127\n\ncost of, 127\n\nreimbursement of cost of, 128\n\nsee also safety and incident management\n\nvisitor sites\n\nmanagement of access to, 105\n\nsee also permanent closure of visitor sites; temporary closure of visitor sites\n\nvisitors to friends and relatives, 102\n\nvolunteers (organisations, groups and individuals), 143\n\nvulnerable species\n\nin floodplains, 66\n\n \n\nW\n\nWaldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head), 66, 68\n\nwalking in the park, 104, 170, 171\n\nsee also bushwalking\n\nwalking routes/tracks, 51, 52, 170\n\nWarddeken Indigenous Protected Area, 142\n\nand weed management, 79\n\nwardens, 129, 130\n\nWarnbi Aboriginal Corporation, 86\n\nWarradjan Cultural Centre, 110, 112\n\nWarramurrungundji (Earth Mother), 4\n\nwaste management, 140, 141\n\n\n\n\nwater buffalo\n\nremoval of, 88\n\nwater hyacinth, 80\n\nwater pandanus (Pandanus aquaticus), 65\n\nwater quality, 134, 140, 141\n\nwaterbirds, 2, 13, 65, 67\n\nWaterfall Creek Reserve, 7\n\nwaterfalls, 65\n\nweather\n\nand climate change, 92\n\nsee also extreme weather events\n\nweathering\n\nand historic sites, 55\n\nand rock art, 45\n\nwebsite, 111\n\nweed education programme, 81\n\nweed management programmes, 79\n\nand climate change, 93\n\noutsourcing of to Bininj/Mungguy, 78\n\nuse of poisonous substances, 81\n\nweed management strategy, 81\n\nweeds\n\nand Bininj/Mungguy cultural sites, 52, 53\n\nand fire, 79, 80\n\nand floodplains, 67, 68, 69, 76, 79, 80\n\nand lowlands, 71, 72, 79\n\nand rainforest, 74, 75\n\nand stone country, 64, 76\n\nweeds and plant pathogens – park-wide threats affecting values, 76, 79–82, 84\n\nactions, 81–2\n\ndeliberate introduction of beneficial non-native species (biological control agents), 80\n\nmanagement issues\n\nbiosecurity, 81\n\nexisting infestations in Jabiru and other lease areas, 80\n\nmyrtle rust, 81\n\noverall weed threat to park values, 80\n\npotential new weeds, 80\n\nweed–fire interactions, 80\n\nweeds present in the park but not yet well-established, 80\n\noutcome, 79\n\nperformance indicator, 79\n\npolicies, 81\n\nWeeds Management Act 2001 (NT), 80\n\nWeeds of National Significance, 79\n\nWest Alligator Head, 103\n\nWest Alligator River\n\nfloodplain, 65\n\nand recreational boating and fishing, 66\n\nWest Arnhem Bushfire Committee, 142\n\nWest Arnhem Regional Council\n\nand Jabiru, 120, 123, 158, 161\n\nWest Arnhem Regional Council Local Government Area Shire\n\nand Jabiru, 120\n\n\nWestern Arnhem Plateau, 13\n\nWestern Australia Parks and Wildlife\n\nand feral cat control in the Pilbara, 84\n\nwet season\n\nand access restrictions to the park, 162, 163\n\nand air access, 164\n\nWetland of International Importance, 16\n\nwetlands, 2, 16, 65–6, 67, 92, 194\n\nfreshwater, 68\n\nof international importance, 214–15\n\nsee also Ramsar Convention; Ramsar listing\n\nsaline, 68\n\nwild dogs, 85, 86\n\nwildfires, 88, 89\n\nwildlife\n\ncommercial taking or harvesting of, 165–7\n\nwildlife carers see registered wildlife carers\n\nwildlife protection, 213\n\nwildlife specimens\n\ninternational movement of for scientific purposes, 114\n\nwildlife watching, 103\n\nWildman River floodplain, 65\n\nWindow on the Wetlands, 13\n\nWoirnaski, Dr John\n\nconsultations with re management plan, 18\n\nwoodlands, 2, 12, 70\n\nsoils, 70\n\nWoodward Commission see Aboriginal Land Rights Commission (A E Woodward, 1973)\n\nwork experience, 38\n\nWork Health and Safety Act 2011, 125\n\nWorking on Country, 35\n\nWorld Heritage Convention, 2, 11, 15, 193, 213\n\nWorld Heritage listing, 2, 9, 10, 11, 15, 88, 99, 109, 140, 157, 213\n\nweeds as threat to, 79\n\n \n\nY\n\nyams, 73, 74, 86\n\nyellow chat (Alligator River subspecies), 67\n\nyellow crazy ants, 85, 86\n\nYellow Water, 65\n\nsalvinia at, 79\n\nYirridjdja see patrilineal moieties Duwa and Yirridjdja\n\n \n\n \n\n[THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK – INSIDE COVER]\n\n\n\n\n# Back cover design for the management plan showing Indigenous art, crafts and plants against a red tinted rock art painting of a barramundi. Design also features the logo for the Director of National Parks and World Heritage.\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"model":"kimi-k2.5","source":"moonshot-realtime","completionTokens":2985},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":8,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The plan remains consistent with the original purpose of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the park's declaration for preservation and appropriate public enjoyment. While it adopts a more strategic, values-based approach than previous plans (focusing on outcomes rather than prescriptive actions), it does not expand the scope beyond conservation, joint management, and sustainable tourism as originally intended for Kakadu."},"complexity_factors":["Length and hierarchical density: Over 200 pages across four main parts with nested sections, subsections, and ten detailed appendices covering legislative context, species lists, and lease provisions","Legislative cross-referencing: Extensive integration of the EPBC Act 1999, EPBC Regulations, Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) Act 1976, Native Title Act 1993, and international conventions (World Heritage, Ramsar)","Multi-jurisdictional governance: Simultaneous application of Commonwealth law, Northern Territory law (Planning Act, Bushfires Act), and traditional Aboriginal law/custody obligations","Conditional operational logic: Complex permitting systems with conditions varying by location (Jabiru vs outstations vs wilderness), season (wet/dry closures), cultural status (sacred sites), and assessed risk levels","Values-based assessment framework: Requires proposals to be evaluated against both Western scientific criteria and Indigenous cultural values, including clan-based decision-making protocols","Exception hierarchies: Specific carve-outs for traditional use by Aboriginal people, mining operations (Ranger mine), and historic leases, creating nested exceptions to general prohibitions"],"plain_english_summary":"The plan sets a 10‑year strategic direction for managing Kakadu National Park, balancing protection of World Heritage natural values and ancient Aboriginal cultural sites with sustainable tourism, public access and community needs. Built on legally entrenched joint management, traditional owners guide major decisions and cultural law and knowledge are integrated into management. It also authorises certain otherwise‑prohibited activities via permits, licences or leases where they align with conservation and cultural objectives—affecting visitors, residents, researchers and commercial operators."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/approval-of-the-kakadu-national-park-management-plan-2016-2026","history":"/api/acts/approval-of-the-kakadu-national-park-management-plan-2016-2026/history","analysis":"/api/acts/approval-of-the-kakadu-national-park-management-plan-2016-2026/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/approval-of-the-kakadu-national-park-management-plan-2016-2026/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/approval-of-the-kakadu-national-park-management-plan-2016-2026/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/approval-of-the-kakadu-national-park-management-plan-2016-2026/documents"}}