Mining Heritage of the Australian Alps - Australian Alps National Parks

of archaeological, historic & cultural features is given higher priority than other management
objectives in these areas 17 .
While the division of the Alps National Parks into zones with varying management priorities
works at a general level, it falls down at a specific level. For instance, a rare and endangered
plant species listed under the Fauna & Flora Guarantee Act that exists within an Historic Area
should always receive the highest management priority. A State-significant cultural site that
exists within a ‘natural’ zone should also receive the highest management priority. Assigned
priorities have the potential to promote a misunderstanding that protection of the natural
environment and protection of the cultural environment are somehow mutually-exclusive.
5.2.5 MANAGING FLORA, FAUNA & FIRE AT HISTORIC MINING SITES/AREAS
Forested settings:
For mining sites in forested settings, the surrounding remnant and regrowing forest should be
retained, except where significant fabric may be under threat. Interventions for protection of
significant fabric will generally be minor and very specific – eg removal or pruning of a tree that is
pushing over a piece of machinery (poison, but never grub stumps), or a shrub that is destabilising a
rock wall. The main issue for forested sites is not overall visibility, but maintaining the strong,
evocative experience.
Open Areas:
Mining sites/areas in open settings are relatively rare within the study area, and largely confined to
high areas of the northern half of the Kosciusko NP, NSW, where extensive snow-grass plains exist.
Even in open areas, the low, regrowing vegetation provides evidence of the abandonment of the
mining places, and a sense of completion. The vegetation can also assist in recognition of features.
Further elaboration is contained in section 5.2.6, below.
All places:
Non-indigenous vegetation: Guidelines for the management of exotic vegetation at cultural sites are
included in Part 6 of Jane Lennon & Associates’ “Cultural Landscape Management” report (1996).
At cultural heritage places, non-indigenous vegetation may occur around occupation sites, and
provide important information. Such non-indigenous vegetation is not a common feature at mining
sites/areas, because of the transient nature of mining and the personnel involved. Where they occur,
flowers and fruit trees around a mining hut site may indicate that it was more a ‘home’ than a hut,
with extended occupation. This tells of some stability in the operation, and possibly in personnel.
Non-indigenous vegetation may, however, be well developed at former mining towns within the study
area, and retention is desirable within the guidelines referred to above. The spring flowering of
daffodils at the Kiandra cemetery is a particularly evocative example showing the value of retaining
significant exotic species. Weeds can be a strong feature at mining sites, but are derivative, taking
advantage of disturbed soils. Their removal is recommended where part of on-going programs, or at
sites to be presented to visitors. For some vulnerable sites (eg where small artefacts abound),
temporary maintenance of weed cover (particularly blackberries) can afford protection. This is not
recommended as a management principle to be adopted.
Fauna: Guidelines for management of animals are also given in Part 6 of Jane Lennon & Associates’
report. For mining sites/areas, the principal concerns are burrowing animals (eg wombats and
rabbits), which may destabilise standing machinery, rock walls, foundations etc. Because most
17 Alpine National Park Management Plans (4), 1992, DCE – points rating 1-3.
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