Part 2B - Objectives and Prescribed Management Actions
For Management purposes, the Park has been divided into Two Zones - Terrestrial (land) and Marine (sea).
Section 7. Terrestrial Vegetation
Approximately 25% of the island’s rainforest has been cleared to mine phosphate. Management of vegetation today largely consists of efforts to revegetate mined areas, and to control the spread of introduced weeds.
When mining finishes in some current mine lease areas, these leases may be handed over to the Director of National Parks for rehabilitation and incorporation into the Park.
The Christmas Island Rainforest Rehabilitation Program (CIRRP) began in 1989 to revegetate old mine workings. The program is funded from a royalty, paid by the mining company to the Commonwealth Government.
Weeds are a serious problem on Christmas Island and a number of exotic trees, shrubs and vines are established in disturbed areas throughout the island. The weed section of the Plan talks about some of the major weeds and how they will be controlled. It also talks about the need to prevent the introduction and spread of any new weeds. Parks Australia staff will work closely with Quarantine and Customs to prevent further introductions.
Section 8. Terrestrial and Anchialine Animals
This section deals with the current status of the island’s native animals - many of these have been affected by human activity such as settlement, mining, hunting and fishing and the introduction of exotics. Mining resulted in the loss of approximately a quarter of the primary rainforest habitat, which was accompanied by corresponding declines in the populations of many forest animals. No further clearing of primary native vegetation that would result in habitat loss will be allowed in the Park.
One of the major threats to the island’s native animals is posed by exotic animals and plants. A number of animals are thought to have been introduced to the island since human settlement. This section provides a list of exotic wild animals, their perceived threat to native species, and proposed control actions.
Section 9. Marine Area
Native plants and animals of Christmas Island and the territorial sea around the Island outside the Park are protected by Part 9 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000. Part 9 of the Regulations provides for the Minister for the Environment and Heritage to approve management plans that provide for the taking of protected species.
Approximately 42 kilometres (63%) of the island shoreline is in the Park. The sea, extending 50 metres seaward of the low water mark, where the land part of the Park meets the coast, is included in the Park (a total area of about 2.1 square kilometres). With a view to regulating fishing in all of the territorial sea around the island in a consistent way (allowing for on-going recreational fishing in the Park) an Integrated Marine Management Program (IMMP) was drafted while the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 and the National Parks and Wildlife Regulations were in force, and has been extensively discussed in recent years by many people in the community. It is hoped that the Program will be introduced under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 during the life of this Management Plan.
This section also considers diving, boating and restrictions on taking certain species of fish in the Park.
Section 10. Access
This section describes the network of roads, tracks and walking trails in the National Park. Existing roads and tracks will be maintained and progressively upgraded to allow continued access while maintaining low environmental impact. Development of any new roads and tracks will require thorough justification and environmental impact assessment.
Section 11. Tourism
The island's natural environment, much of which is now protected within the National Park, is a major feature of interest to island visitors. The Park will therefore play a key role in the economic development of the island as an eco-tourism destination. The Director of National Parks, through Parks Australia, is involved in a range of tourism related initiatives on the island, and is actively involved in the Christmas Island Tourism Association (CITA).
At present, the land areas of the Park are used by local people and tourists for camping, walking, running, sightseeing and the enjoyment of wildlife. The coastal areas are used for boating, beach going, swimming, diving and angling.
The section also outlines the objectives for management of tourism, including preservation of the natural and artificial features of the landscape, and management of visitor access.
Section 12. Interpretation
This section talks about interpretation, which is the communication, education and information process which aims to explain about our cultural and natural heritage. Parks Australia and the Christmas Island Tourism Association provide a range of interpretation brochures, maps, photographs and displays.
The National Park has a number of interpretive signs at popular visitor sites such as Margaret Knoll, Martin Point, the Dales and the Blowholes.
The Director of National Parks and Parks Australia will continue, during the life of this Plan, to work closely with the Community in providing a range of high quality interpretive services.
This section also describes specific interpretive objectives and prescriptions during the life of this Plan, including multi-lingual information.
Section 13. Research
This section describes the research that is required in order to properly manage the National Park. Some research is undertaken by Parks Australia staff but much is undertaken by consultants and university researchers. There is a list of research activities carried out under the previous plan and a list of research priorities for this Plan. A high priority for research efforts during this Plan will be studies on the control, impact and dynamics of the yellow crazy ant.
Section 14. Administration
This section describes the Director’s operations on Christmas Island, including current Parks Australia staff levels and the type of work carried out by staff. Details of Park infrastructure and equipment are provided, as are environmental assessment and surveillance and law enforcement operations.
Section 15. Occupancies
When the Park was declared and later extended, it incorporated or enclosed land with a number of existing uses and occupancies whose continued presence in the Park had to be formally accommodated. These include:
The Jedda Cave pumping station and waterline easement;
The Christmas Island Power Authority’s power line easement;
Two Chinese temples; and
A residential occupation at Grants Well.
This section discusses how these uses and occupancies will be managed during the life of this Plan.
Section 16. Park Extensions
During the life of this Plan, Parks Australia will work closely with the Christmas Island National Park Advisory Committee, Shire of Christmas Island, CI Phosphates Pty Ltd and the Christmas Island Administration to identify any areas which could be included in the Park, and other areas, which should be excluded from any proposed Park extensions.