Dryandra Woodland - Department of Environment and Conservation ...

ISSUES
• The land tenure of the blocks comprising Dryandra should reflect the conservation, recreation
and production values of each area.
• Complex land tenure boundaries may be difficult to locate accurately in the field, leading to
management and user problems.
• Due to the fragmented nature of Dryandra Woodland, the various statutory land tenures proposed
(nature reserve, national park and State forest), and estimated visitor numbers and uses over the
next ten years, further zoning of the Woodland into management units could unnecessarily
complicate management.
• As a result of past clearing for agriculture, many of the original vegetation associations of the
central western wheatbelt are poorly represented in or absent from Dryandra. Surrounding areas
of remnant vegetation on private and Crown land enhance the conservation value of Dryandra.
• The high boundary-to-area ratio of Dryandra increases management concerns in relation to fire
protection, introduction of weeds, fertiliser drift, access to and from the area, domestic animals
entering Dryandra, and native animals damaging crops and fences. The purchase of key
properties, should they come up for sale, would help to reduce the length and complexity of the
boundary.
• Local Aboriginal people have requested permission to use Quinns Block for cultural activities
(see Section 9. Aboriginal Heritage, strategy no. 1).
• The term 'Dryandra forest' has previously referred only to the blocks north of Narrogin. For this
reason, and the fact that the vegetation structure is actually 'woodland', not 'forest' (see Section 7.
Vegetation and Flora), the term is considered inappropriate . The name for the area should take
into account the addition of Highbury into the management unit, and future marketing
opportunities.
OBJECTIVE
• Ensure land tenure reflects the high conservation value of Dryandra Woodland, and takes into
consideration recreation and production values.
Given Dryandra's high biological values and their need for protection, and the current recreation,
production and cultural demands, it is proposed to separate the areas comprising Dryandra Woodland
into the following land categories:
national park - for larger, contiguous areas of natural bush with high nature conservation and
recreation values, and for which no timber production is proposed (see Map 3[a]). Areas of natural
bush in the central block of Dryandra and some of the larger blocks satisfy these criteria. The total
area proposed as national park is 16 337 ha (approximately 58% of the total area).
nature reserve - for isolated areas of natural bush with high nature conservation value, and limited
recreation potential (see Maps 3[a] and [b]). Much of Highbury, and the smaller, isolated blocks of
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